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Aviation History
1982
1982 - 2543.PDF
WORLD'S AIR FORCES Like Colombia, Ecuador operates a civil / military airline, Transportes Aereos Nacionales Ecuatorianco, or TAME. The FAE's Transport Wing operates three C-130H Hercules, four Douglas DC-6s, three HS.748s, and two DHC-5 Buffalo, but can call on the TAME fleet as needed. The Army and Navy operate mixed fleets, mainly on liaison duties. SALVADOR Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena Locked in a vicious guerrilla war with Cuban- backed left-wing insurgents and Sal vadorean left-wing nationals, the right- wing Government is receiving backing in both arms and training from the USA. On order are six Cessna A-37 Dragonfly light-attack aircraft, four Cessna 0-2 for forward air control/ light attack, six UH-ls to join ten already supplied, and three ex-Air National Guard C-123 Providers. These join 18 ex-Israeli Dassault Ouragan fighter - bombers, and nine CM-170 Magisters (three ex-French, six Israeli- built) and an unknown number of Super Mysteres supplied by either France or Israel. Six Rallyes are used for forward air control. The most mo dern type in the FAS transport inven tory is the IAI Arava, four of which are operated alongside 17 C-47s and two DC-6s. Training types include six Cessna T-41Cs, three Beech T-34s, and ten T-6 Texans. Helicopters in service include three UH-ls, three Aerospatiale Lamas for SAR, and two Alouettes, and a Fairchild/Hiller FH-1100 for liai son and training respectively. GUATEMALA Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca Guate mala is still negotiating with Belize and Britain over ownership of Belize, a former British colony. Meanwhile, the RAF continues to maintain a small force of Harriers and Pumas in Belize at the nation's request, as a deterrent to Guatemalan aggression. Facing the Harriers, the FAG main tains one squadron of Cessna A-37B Dragonflys as a combat element, backed up by three T-37C conversion trainers, five Lockheed T-33 advanced trainers, and three reconditioned CM. 170 Magisters. The transport force operates some C-47s, a C-54, a DC-6, and ten IAI Aravas. Liaison aircraft are six Cessna 172s, three Cessna 180s, and two Cessna U206s. Trainers In service include ten Aerotec T-23 Uirapurus for primary training and 12 Pilatus PC-7s for the second stage. The helicopter force is surprisingly small considering the mountainous jungle terrain of Guatemala and con sists of a Hiller OH-23G, three Sikor sky UH-19s, and six Bell UH-lDs. GUYANA Guyana Defence Forces Air Command A Commonwealth country operating a police/paramilitarv force with six B-N Islanders, a Cessna U206F, and a VIP- configured Beech King Air 200. Two Bell 206Bs and two Bell 212s form the rotary-wing element. HAITI Haiti Air Corps The HAC receives limited aid from the USA, but does not operate any pure combat types. Eight Cessna 0-2As are used in a dual liaison/ counter-insurgency role. Transport forces include three DC-3s, three DHC Beavers, a Cessna 402, and a Beech Baron. The training side is covered by three Cessna 150s, a Cessna 172, and a Bonanza. Helicopters in service are three Sikorsky S-58Ts, two Hughes 30Cs, and two Hughes 500s. HONDURAS Fuerza Aerea Hondurena Backed by the USA, Honduras is trying to stop infiltration of Cuban-supplied insur gents. The current combat element consists of 12 Israeli-supplied Super Mystere B.2s, six Cessna A-37B Dragonflys, and three Lockheed RT-33s used for both training and reconnais sance. Honduras is understood to be considering buying the Northrop F-5E Tiger if US aid is approved. A trans port group operates a variety of air craft, the most modern being two IAI Aravas, and a VIP IAI Westwind, backed up by five C-47s, two C-54s, and several C-45s. For liaison and training the FAH operates four Cessna 180/185s, five Cessna T-41s, eight T-28s, and six T6s. JAMAICA Jamaica Defence Force Air Wing Mainly a transport force with SAR, liaison, and police co-operation roles, the Air Wing is split into two ele ments. The fixed-wing flight operates from Norman Manley with two B-N Islanders. These aircraft have a main role of transport and SAR but are also used to interdict drug smugglers from Colombia en route to Jamaica or Florida via Jamaican waters. Other fixed-wing assets are a Beech King Air, a Cessna 210. and a Cessna Super Skymaster. The rotary-wing force flies from Up Park Camp, Kingston, with three Bell 212s and four Bell 206B. MEXICO Fuerza Aerea Mexicana The FAM is benefiting from Mexico's new-found wealth in oil with a squadron of ten Northrop F-5Es and two F-5Fs be coming operational. The $100 million order was made after a proposed order for 24 IAI Kfir C-2s was dropped following political pressure from the USA. A counter-insurgency squadron operates 14 Lockheed AT-33s. Transport forces consist of one DC-7, five C-54s, and two ex-US Navy C-118s, in one squadron. Another squadron operates seven C-47s, ten IAI Aravas, 12 B-N Islanders (owned by the Gov ernment), 20 Aero Commanders, and a DHC-5D Buffalo. The third transport squadron operates solely in the VIP role with two Boeing 727s, a 737, a Lockheed L-188 Electra, and BAC One- Eleven, a Lockheed C-140 Jetstar, and an HS.125 400. An Agusta 109 shares VIP work with five SA.330 Pumas, also tasked with general utility work. Other rotary-wing forces include nine armed Alouette Ills used as quick- reaction transport for counter-insur gency ground troops, ten Bell 205s, five Bell 206s, and a Bell 212. Heli copter training is on 12 Bell 47Gs, and a Hiller 12E. Fixed-wing training starts on 20 Beech Bonanzas, 20 Beech Musketeers, and 20 T-6 Texans. After basic training the stream is split on to about 50 T-28 Trojans and 20 or so of their 50 Pilatus PC-7 replace ments available for the fast stream pilots. Aviacion de la Armada de Mexico The small Mexican Navy maintains five Grumman HU-16A Albatrosses for coastal patrol and SAR duties. Two DHC-5D Buffalo are used for trans port with five ex-USAF C-47s. The Navy uses a Learjet 25D and two Fairchild FH-277s for VIP work and two Beech Bonanzas, two Cessna 150s, a Cessna 402, and a Cessna 337 for liaison. Helicopters in service are four Alouette lis and five Bell 47s, with BO105s on order. NICARAGUA Fuerza Aerea Sandini"ta This country was taken over by a left-wing internal rebellion in July 1979. Cuban and Soviet advisors are now helping to establish military forces, but the country is not totally dependent on Soviet aid, having just ordered two Alouette Ills, 100 rocket launchers and 7,000 rockets, plus two fast patrol boats. A new airfield at Puerto Cabezas is now operational and deliveries of Soviet combat aircraft are expected in the near future. In service now are left-overs from pre vious Governments' National Guard. The^e include four T-33As, six T-28Bs, and five Cessna 0-2s. Transports are five C-47s. five C.212 Aviocars, four Beech, C-45s, and ten Cessna 180s, with Piper Super Cubs for ab initio training. Helicopters are a Hughes 269 for train ing, four Hughes OH-6As, and two Sikorsky CH-34s. PANAMA Fuerza Aerea Panamena The FAP does not possess any combat aircraft and operates mainly in the liaison, transport, and offshore surveillance roles, being responsible for policing the sea-lanes leading to the Panama Canal. Largest aircraft in the inven tory is the single Lockheed L-188 Electra operated in the transport role with four C-47s, two DHC Twin Otters, two B-N Islanders, a Skyvan, and two DHC Otters. A single Falcon 20 is based at Panama City airport for Gov ernmental VIP flying. Two Cessna U-17s and a Cessna 172 are used for liaison; the helicopter fleet consists of 12 Bell UH-lBs, two UH-lDs, two UH- lHs, and a VIP UH-1N. PARAGUAY Fuerza Aerea del Paraguay The FAP's latest acquisition, nine Embraer EMB-326GB Xavantes (Macchi MB. 326K) are now becoming operational in the counter-insurgency role, joining 12 AT-6 Texans bought secondhand in FLIGHT International, 6 November 1982 1387
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