Req: Potential locations away from Souda

[Jags Shacks Buccs]

Afternoon,

I'll soon be travelling for a holiday in Western Crete, staying in Almyrida.

I am very much aware of the sensitivities and risks associated with spotting and photographing at or near Greek military bases and I don't intend to go anywhere near the base at Souda, or the surrounding areas.

Looking at the wider map of the Souda Bay area, on the Almyrida side, I wonder whether there is anywhere suitable where approach shots to runway 29 can be obtained, without arousing suspicion, causing offence or attracting the attention of the authorities?

I realise that spots along the Almyrida side of the bay may be far too distant from the approach to runway 29 in any event.

Many thanks,

Paul

[Amp]

Your second and third paragraphs conflict.
I would adopt the phrase, "if in doubt, don't".

[Jags Shacks Buccs]

Your second and third paragraphs conflict.
I would adopt the phrase, "if in doubt, don't".

I accept that there is some conflict there, but I don't care for your unnecessarily curt response. I could've maybe made it clearer that I am enquiring about any spots or areas that are located well away from the base/airport and on the opposite side of the bay and peninsula where the base is located.

One of the previous Souda reports on this forum suggested that a camera had been used to obtain serials. That, and the content of some of the other reports, had prompted my request. I appreciate that the reported use of a camera may have been briefly discreet, from inside a car etc.

I'm enquiring in faint hope, not expectation, and I know full well to refrain from any activity which might attract attention and place me, and potentially others, at risk.

In any event I hope to post some movements whilst out there.

[iainpeden]

I would adopt the phrase, "if in doubt, don't".

Good advice that. I was on a cruise ship berthed in Souda Bay and was enjoying the Greek F-16s basically buzzing the ship. I was about to lift my camera to get some pics as one of the ship's officers wandered by.
To quote - be careful sir the Greeks can get abit **** about military stuff". Turns out he was also an a/c enthusiast and knew the ropes.

But I did get a great shot of an Egyptian Mil-8 the next day as we transited the Suez Canal.

[Amp]

Jags, there was certainly no rudeness intended in my, admittedly brief, response. Even at official open days on the mainland the military can get very jumpy about what you take photos of. You never know who is watching what you are doing. Enjoy your holiday.

[Thunder]

Nothing here

[Jags Shacks Buccs]

Jags, there was certainly no rudeness intended in my, admittedly brief, response. Even at official open days on the mainland the military can get very jumpy about what you take photos of. You never know who is watching what you are doing. Enjoy your holiday.

Thank you Amp for your comments and wishes. I appreciate your helpful input, which I realise may come from your own experiences, and I acknowledge that erring on the side of caution is the best approach.

[Jags Shacks Buccs]

No problems going over to the base, especially at the 29 end. If you look on Google Earth you will see a church marked on the cliff edge straight down the approach. You can park up here and out of sight of the base, you will not be bothered here, a/c are about 300 ft above you and pretty useless for photography. If you go back out onto the road and go right, the road goes through the ‘canyon’ and gains height, just as the road levels out, there is an area where you can park directly under the approach, again you shouldn’t be bothered here and the a/c are about 100-150 ft above you again pretty useless for photography. If you continue right on the road you drive through the approach lights and soon after there is a track up to Souda Base chapel( marked on GE). You can drive up here and a/c on approach are at the same height as you, however hanging around here for long periods of time well inevitably draw attention which may result in a visit from base security(I got a visit back in July and was told politely enough I couldn’t stay there due to it being a military area. Worth noting that from this area you can see clearly into the base, which is their main concern). Luckily for me the camera was packed away, had they seen it or I was seen taking photographs it probably would’ve be a lot less polite. Note that however small this road looks, it’s very busy with local buses and construction traffic and they will report anything that they see as suspicious. Pulling a camera/scope out then you need to be aware of the consequences. The 11 end is too open and busy and suspicion will be aroused within minutes.Also worth mentioning that USN conduct security patrols in this area when the EP-3/P-8 return from their missions, obviously don’t want people photographing these a/c at close quarters..

Almyrida, you can see a/c on approach and be able to identify type, but that’s it. A/C are too distant and heat haze will result in very unsatisfactory photos to the point of why bother. The whole area of Souda is littered with military installations on both sides so caution and awareness of your surroundings is paramount.

You mention that a previous post mentions obtaining serials by camera? I think you’re referring to a post I made in July, where I was referring to a/c on the USS Wasp as it sailed past me(I was at Kalami just along the coast from Almyrida), unfortunately heat haze killed any chance of reading serials.

All in all, it’s an interesting base to visit and if you use common sense you shouldn’t come across any issues.Enjoy Crete it’s a fantastic place.

Many thanks indeed Thunder, for your detailed guidance and very helpful advice. As someone who has visited Crete before but not the western part of the island, I am grateful for the information concerning Almyrida and the wider Souda area, and I shall exercise extreme caution at all times, if need be.

[Jags Shacks Buccs]

I would adopt the phrase, "if in doubt, don't".

Good advice that. I was on a cruise ship berthed in Souda Bay and was enjoying the Greek F-16s basically buzzing the ship. I was about to lift my camera to get some pics as one of the ship's officers wandered by.
To quote - be careful sir the Greeks can get abit **** about military stuff". Turns out he was also an a/c enthusiast and knew the ropes.

But I did get a great shot of an Egyptian Mil-8 the next day as we transited the Suez Canal.

Thank you Iain, I appreciate that. Your experience clearly shows that caution in the Souda area doesn't only apply to dry land!

[iainpeden]

I would add that, if you are in the area the Commonwealth War Grave site at Souda Bay is interesting as it contains not only WW2 graves.
My late father-in-law was in the RN at Souda Bay during the German invasion -"nasty, noisy place" was all we ever got out of him about the experience.