As reported by OnAlert on June 14, 2024, the newly established Airborne Special Operations Squadron (MAEE) will receive four MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Black Hawk helicopters configured for the Special Warfare Command in the coming years. The MAEE is set to become the fourth Greek unit of the Joint Special Operations Command (DDEE) certified by NATO, enabling collaboration with the other three units of the DDEE—ETA, Z’ MAK, and the Naval Special Operations Section—in executing alliance missions.
In the coming days, the MAEE will be evaluated by officers from the Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) following a process similar to previous Special Operations Force Evaluations (SOFEVAL). For at least a week, the personnel of the MAEE will be under scrutiny and required to demonstrate, through a series of increasingly challenging missions, that they can successfully support various scenarios involving aerial assets, particularly helicopters, used by SOF teams from the units of the DDEE. Response times, movement and approach tactics to high-risk areas, boarding and disembarking of commandos, communications, maintenance, and support will be evaluated and graded by specialized NATO officers.