U.S. Air Force Delivers Planes to Greek Counterparts

Αthens (August 28, 2009) -- On Monday, 31 August 2009, the United States Air Force is scheduled to deliver 3 F-16, Peace Xenia IV aircraft to the Hellenic Air Force. These F-16s, the most advanced fighter jets procured by the HAF, will join 10 others delivered earlier this year and that are already in service.  17 more aircraft are due to be delivered to Greece by the end of 2009 as part of the U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sales program.  American pilots will fly the aircraft from the Lockheed-Martin production plant in Fort Worth, Texas to Greece and immediately turn over ownership upon arrival.  One of the pilots bringing in the current flight of aircraft is Lieutenant Colonel Steven Speckhard -- cousin of the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Daniel V. Speckhard -- and a member of the United States Air Force Reserve based out of Phoenix Arizona.