A story from a 38th TRS pilot who flew RF-84s out of Spangdahlem in 1956. He and another pilot were staying over in Athens after delivering two RF-84s from Brindisi to Larisa:
“On the fifth day of our rest (from the “grueling” 40 minute flight from Brindisi to Larisa), we were taken to the Athens Int’l Airport, to be picked up by Maj. Rufus Barnes (10th Tac Recon Wing Ops) in an RB-26. While we were waiting to be picked up, standing in the shade of the U.S. Naval Attache’s SA-16, twenty-one MIG-15’s landed and were refuelled by Royal Dutch Petroleum’s fuel trucks (with white sidewall tires, no doubt bought with U.S. dollars. . . ). The Russian pilots were wearing flight suits without insignia or other markings. After refuelling, they took off, bound for Cairo. Over the Med, British and French pilots, flying NATO fighters based on Cyprus, intercepted the Russians. Nineteen MIGs were shot down enroute, one was shot down on final approach to Cairo Airport, and the other MiG landed and was strafed on the taxiway. While that was happening, we were making the turn over Marseille, heading home, when we got a radio call to proceed directly to Spang, and go directly to 38th TRS operations. (At that time, we did not know about the shoot downs. . .we found that out after landing at Spang.) For three days, “the buzz” was that WW-3 was about to start. The Israeli Army had crossed the Suez, and was advancing toward Cairo. The Russian’s MIGs were supposed assist the Egyptians, and counter the Israeli advance.”
Something must have happened!