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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 2500.PDF
WORLD'S AIR FORCES The principal training centre is at Kosice. Trainers in use include Czech-built Yak-lis, Zlin 326s, and Zlin 43s, plus L-29 Delfin, L-39 Albatros, and MiG-15UTI advanced trainers. Helicopters include Mi-4s and Mi-8s in the utility role, supported by Mi-24 Hind's for attack and Mi-l/Mi-2 scouts. The Mi-17 was introduced during 1984, and will probably replace the Mi-4 initially. Denmark Kongelige Danske Flyvevabnet Forming part of Nato's Allied Air Forces Northern Europe, the Royal Danish Air Force has two main elements, the Tactical Air Command and the Air Material Command, operating 130 aircraft. Tactical Air Command Denmark (Tacden) controls the Draken and F-16 squad rons, plus an air defence group with Improved Hawk SAMs, and the control and reporting system. Four squadrons, 723 and 726 at Aalborg, and 727 and 730 at Skrydstrup, are equipped with the F-16. An additional batch of 12 F-16s was ordered in 1985 for delivery by 1989. 726 Squadron retired its last F-104 Star- fighters in April 1986, and the last 18 were transferred to Taiwan in April 1987 after a year in storage. The remaining combat units are 725 and 729 Squadrons at Karup with the Saab Draken. The latter unit provides the RDAF's tactical reconnaissance capability. A total of 51 F-35, RF-35, and TF-35 Drakens was bought, and the survivors have all been modified with HUDs, new weapons-aiming computers, RWR, and INS. Air Material Command has two squadrons, 721 with C-130 Hercules and Gulf- stream Ills, and 722 with Sikorsky S-61A SAR helicopters. Both units are based at Vaerlose. Pilot selection is on the T-17 Supporters of the Flyveskolen at Avno, before full flying training is undertaken in the USA. Other T-17s are assigned to station flights. The RDAF has short-listed the F-16 "Agile Falcon", JAS39 Gripen and Mirage 2000, for evaluation to fulfil its requirement for a new fighter in the late-1990s. Sovaernets Flyvetjaeneste The Danish Navy's fleet of Lynx helicopters is to be fitted with tactical data systems and Kestrel ESM. Two additional Lynx were purchased in 1987 from a batch built for Argentina but embargoed by the UK Government. A long-standing requirement exists for radar equipped, missile armed helicopters for the anti-shipping role. Haerens Flyvetjaeneste The Army Air Service operates a fleet of Hughes 500Ms and T-17 Supporters in observation and liaison roles. Twelve AS.350 Ecureuil anti-tank heli copters were ordered in July 1987, and will be fitted with Swedish HeilTow missile systems. Delivery is scheduled for 1990. Djibouti Force Aerienne Djiboutienne The country's position at the mouth of the Red Sea is of great strategic value to the West, and France main tains close economic, diplomatic, and military ties with her former colony. At the request of the Djibouti Government, France bases a force of 3,250 men in the country, comprising armoured, artillery, and infantry battalions with their integral Puma and Gazelle helicopter support. The French Air Force detachment includes ten Mirage IIICs, while Naval Atlan- tics occasionally operate from Djibouti. Type Role C-212-200 Aviocar N.2501FNoratlas Cessna U206G Rallye 235 Falcon 20 AS.355F Ecureuil 2 Alouette II 2 2 1 i 1 3 2 Transport Transport Liaison Liaison VIP Comms Liaison Dominican Republic Fuerza Aerea Dominicana The FAD suffers from extremely limited funds and, after the early 1984 sale of its last ten F-51D Mustangs, did not possess a true combat element. Having the distinction of being the last air arm in the world to fly the Mustang operationally, the FAD also used a few ex-Swedish Vampires until lack of funds forced their retirement in the late 1970s. A flight of six armed T-28A/D Trojans was also withdrawn, leaving the FAD with only unarmed transport, liaison, and training aircraft, until the late 1984 delivery of four A-37Bs. Type No Role Type Air Force F-16A/B F-16A/B F-35 Draken RF-35 Draken TF-35 Draken C-130H Hercules Gulfstream III Sikorsky S-61A T-17 Supporter IMavy Lynx 80/90 Army T-17 Supporter AS.350L-1 Ecurevil Hughes 500M * Delivery in progress "• On order 43/10 8"/4* 16 18 9 3 3 8 20 6/2 8 12" 14 Int/Training Int/Training FGA Recce Training Transport MR/VIP SAR Train/Liaison Fishery Protection Anti-tank AOP/Liaison A-37B Dragonfly T-34B Mentor AT-6C Texan C-47 Dakota C-46 Commando Commander 500U MU-2J Queenair 80 Cessna T-41D Rallye Commadore 205A/UH-1H Iroquois Alouette ll/lll Hughes 369 Bell 47G SA.365C Dauphin 4 1 1 3 3 2 2 1 1 10 1 10 3/3 6 v 2 1 Dubai See United Arab Emirates Coin Training Training Transport Transport Comms Comms Comms Liaison/Train Liaison Patrol/SAR Liaison/VIP Liaison Training VIP East Germany Luftstreitkfrafte und Luftverteidigung (LSK/LV) The only Warsaw Pact member to place its forces under Soviet command in peace time, East Germany also hosts the Soviet 16th Air Army which, equipped with more than 1,000 aircraft, is larger than that of the LSK/LV. The GDR Air force and Air Defence Command is modelled closely on Soviet lines, and is divided into two Air Defence Divisions, the 3rd ADD in the North, with its HQ at Neubrandenburg controlling the 2nd Fighter Regiment flying MiG-21s, the 9th Fighter Regiment with MiG- 21s and MiG-23s at Peenemunde, and three SA-2/SA-3 missile regiments at Parchim; and the 1st ADD in the South with its HQ at Cottbus controlling the 1st, 7th and 8th Fighter Regiments with MiG-21s at Cottbus, Drewitz, and Marxwalde, the 3rd Fighter Regiment at Preschen flying MiG-23s, and two SA-2/SA-3 missile regiments at Steugrabchen and Ladeburg. A Tactical Division, comprising two regiments, has two squadrons of MiG-23BN strike aircraft, four of obsolete MiG-17Fs, and one reconnaissance unit with MiG-21RFs. Su- 22s have also been reported in use. A flying regiment generally consists of three squadrons, each equipped with up to 16 aircraft. The 27th Transport Regiment based at Dres den operates a variety of Soviet supplied aircraft, including a few Il-14s converted for ECM/Elint duties. Mi-8s equip the 31st Heli copter Regiment at Brandenburg, while two combat helicopter wings, "Adolf von Lutzow" and "Ferdinand von Schill" fly armed Mi-8s and Mi-24 gunships. A training force has Yak- 18s, Zlin 226s, L-29 Delfins, L-39 Albatros, and MiG-15UTIs. A naval helicopter unit is based at Parow. Type Role MiG-21FL/PFM/MF Fishbed MiG-21RFFishbed H MiG-21U/UM Mongol MiG-23MF/BN Flogger Su-22 Fitter MiG-17F Fresco MiG-15UTI Midget L-39 Albatros/L-29 Delfin Ziin 226 Yak-18 Max An-26 Curl 11-14 Crate L-410 Turbolet An-14 Clod An-2 Colt TU-134A Crusty Mi-24 Hind Mi-8 Hip Mi-4 Hound Mi-2 Hoplite/Mi-1 Hare Navy Mi-14 Haze Mi-8 Hip Mi-4 Hound 200+ 12 20+ 80+/30+ 30+ 35+ 20+ 100+ 20+ 50+ 10 20 7 3 10 5 30+ 80+ 40+ 10+ 5 + 6 + 6+ Ecuador Int Recce Training Int/Strike FGA FGA Training Training Training Training Transport Transport VIP Transport Transport VIP Attack Trans/Attack Transport Liaison ASW Transport Liaison 50 Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana One of the best equipped air arms in South America, the FAE has five types in front-line service, its Mirage F.l and Kfir interceptors being backed up by Jaguar, A-37, and Strikemaster attack aircraft. The first of 25 AT-33As arrived in July 1986, following extensive refurbishment in the USA; FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 28 November 1987
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