Lieutenant Colonel Athanasios Sdrakas graduated from the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Academy in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics. He further advanced his academic qualifications by obtaining two Master of Science degrees: one in International Affairs from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, and another in Environmental, Disaster, and Crisis Management Strategies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. LtCol Sdrakas began his distinguished military career as a fighter pilot in the 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron from 2000 to 2009, amassing over 1,000 flight hours on the RF-4E aircraft. He subsequently served as an instructor pilot in the 364 Air Training Squadron from 2009 to 2022, accruing nearly 3,000 flight hours on the T-6A aircraft. His professional military education includes graduation from the Fighter Weapons School and the Supreme Joint War College. He is currently the Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Subject Matter Expert at the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC).