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Hellenic Air Force An-12BP "Cub" - Elefsis AB 356 Tactical Transport Squadron 1979 In late 1974 Greece withdrew from NATO military command due to the fact that an another NATO member invaded Cyprus. Turkish invasion forced Hellenic Army to redefine its doctrine. At the time highest rank military officers made it clear to the government that since turkish occupation forces were still on Cyprus keeping their positions and with no intention to withdraw, hellenic air force needed a new military transport aircraft. Existing C-47s (Dakota) were very old (introduced in 1947) and their operational capability was very limited. Noratlas were second hand airframes coming from German surplus with deliveries starting in 1967 but during service many problems appeared and operational capability was in doubt. General Staff of National Defense decided that in the post invasion age a military transport aircraft being able to take off at night from Elefsis AB to Nicosia flying some meters above sea level, dropping at least 50 paratroopers and head back to Elefsis without midair refuel was urgently needed. Now Greece had the option to import non-NATO military equipment. On November 1974 Greek government requested 10 An-12BPs from USSR. Initially soviets were cautious believing that exporting even a relatively old transport aircraft to Greece, more likely western experts would be able to analyze soviet transport aircraft technology. Turkey tried to prevent the request but finally USSR officials saw a historical chance of destabilizing the south-eastern NATO unity. On mid February 1975 the first An-12BP serial 38 landed at Tanagra AB. All An-12BPs landed at Tanagra AB for post delivery evaluation before transfer at their home in 356 Tactical Transport Squadron in Elefsis AB.