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(1972) Larissa (Greece), Best Hit AIRSOUTH Weapons Meet, July 1972

The BEST HIT was a contest for the southern European air forces; in 1972 it was organized by the Hellenic Air Force at Larissa. Participating were teams from Turkey, Italy and Greece as well as a guest team from the USAF/USNavy.

“Larissa is the home of the 110th Combat Wing, equipped with 3 combat squadrons; the airfield is located just out of the eastern part of LARISSA in a 5-minutes drive from downtown Larissa.

This is where from 13 to 22 July the BEST HIT Meet was held, which brought together pilots  from three of NATOs southern regions, plus a combined USAF/USN guest team.

Representing the Hellenic Air Force  and flying Northrop RF-5s were the 349th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Cobra) from Larissa AB belonging to the Greek 28th Tactical Air Force.

Competing for the Italian air force and flying G-91s were the 14th Leight Weight Attack Reconnaissance Squadron from Treviso AB.

Flying for the Turkish air force in Lockheed F-104Gs were the 191th Fighter/Bomber/Attack Squadron “Cobra” from Balikesir. This is the first year the Turkish AF is using the F-104G in the meet and NOT the F-100 Super Sabre anymore .

Making up the USAF element of the guest team were members from USAFEs 401 Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Torrejon AB, Spain, flying F-4Es. Competing for the USNavy were the Attack Carrier Wing 6 from USS Roosevelt flying Vought A-7Bs.”

(quote from 1972 FLASH Magazine article by  J.A. Engels and F. Klaassen)