Salvadoran Air Force
| Salvadoran Air Force | |
|---|---|
 El Salvador Air force badge | |
| Active | 20 March 1923-present |
| Country | El Salvador |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Role | "To defend state sovereignty and integrity of the national airspace. Support surface forces in fulfilling their respective missions, contribute to maintaining internal peace, provide disaster relief and assisting national efforts in welfare works public ". |
| Size | 68 aircraft in service |
| Nickname(s) | Air Force El Salvador. |
| Colors | blue and white |
| Engagements | Honduras and Salvadorian conflict 1969, El Salvador civil war (1979-1992) |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
The Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña) is the air force of the Armed Forces of El Salvador, and is independent from the army and navy.
Early history
The Salvadoran Army Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea de El Salvador) was formed on 20 March 1923 during a period of heavy interest in aviation in El Salvador. In 1947, after signing the treaty of Rio (which was a mutual defense treaty among the states of America including the U.S.), El Salvador with a US air mission and increased transfers of aircraft El Salvador built up a large force of aircraft.[clarification needed]
Recent operations
The Salvadoran Air Force first saw action in the 1969 Football war against Honduras equipped with F4U Corsairs and P-51 Mustangs. From the late 1970s, isolated guerilla actions rapidly developed into a civil war. US aid to El Savador in 1980 consisted of six UH-1Hs and four in 1981; they were used as gunships. Other deliveries brought that number of UH-1Hs in service up to 40. In February 1982 onwards the USA delivered eight A-37B Dragonflies, 12 UH-1Hs, four O-2As and three C-123Ks. On 6 May 2013, in celebration of the 189th anniversary of the Armed Forces of El Salvador, the Salvadoran Government announced the planned purchase of 10 A-37 aircraft from Chile.[1]
A four-engined Douglas DC-6B provided long-range logistical capability between 1975 and its retirement in 1998. It was used on supply flights to and from the United States.[2] In December 1984, two AC-47s were delivered to be in service with the other three C-47s in use. The civil war ended in mutual exhaustion in 1990 and the Air Force was geared for internal security.
Aircraft
Current inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Aircraft | ||||||
| A-37 | United States | attack | 15[3] | |||
| Transport | ||||||
| IAI Arava | Israel | transport | 3[3] | |||
| Basler BT-67 | United States | transport / utility | 1[3] | modified Douglas DC-3 with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines | ||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Bell 412 | United States | utility | 4[3] | |||
| Bell UH-1 | United States | utility | UH-1H/M | 13[3] | ||
| MD500 | United States | light utility | 8[3] | |||
| Hughes 269 | United States | light utility | 5[3] | |||
| Trainer Aircraft | ||||||
| T-35 | Chile | trainer | 3[3] | |||
References
Bibliography
- Eastwood A.B. and Roach J.R., Piston Engined Airliner Production List, 2007, The Aviation Hobby Shop
- World Aircraft information files Brightstar publishing London File 342 sheet 2