The Ministry of National Defense announces that following a consultation and agreement between GEETHA and Air Command (AIRCOM) of NATO, at noon on August 22, 2022, a flight of American B-52 aircraft took place in the Athens FIR.

B-52s entered from its southwest border FIR Athens in order to exit from it west of the island of Megistis. The flight of the said aircraft took place as part of a demonstration of Inter-Allied cohesion and solidarity.

While the movement of the B-52s was not intended to be escorted by Fighter Aircraft, as has happened at other times in the past, five unidentified air trails moved east of Karpathos interfering with the B-52’s route, violating Air Traffic Rules by not of filing a Flight Plan.

Four F-16 Fighter Aircraft of the PA immediately took off. from Crete, which identified the unknown tracks as armed Turkish F-16 Fighter Aircraft, intercepted in accordance with international rules and standard practice.

The competent authorities of NATO and the USA have been informed about the matter.

Any other description of the facts involved is false.