Colombian Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force
of the Republic of Colombia
.
The Colombian Air Force (FAC) is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. It is one of the largest Latin American air forces and increased activity due to its important role in the fight against narco-terrorism.
Air Force is the only global processes that have accredited with ISO 9001 and NTCGP 1000. The system corresponds to ISO 9001 quality management with the international standard, which inscribed the FAC as a world-class organization. The second certificate, the NTCGP 1000, corresponds to the technical standard of quality of governance, as a result of Act 872 of 2003 requires all public bodies to implement the quality management system by December 2008.
The FAC has the distinction of having been used in missions of observation and aerial combat from the Colombian-Peruvian war of 1932, never elected government was ousted by force, as the FAC helped quell many rebellions from terrorism, military and political . The Colombian Air Force also served with distinction during the Second World War in the islands of San Andrés.
. Previously by Law 15 of 1916 of September 7 two commissions were sent overseas to study new technological advancements in aviation, infantry, cavalry, engineering and trains. Officers pertaining to the Colombian Army were also sent to take a course on flight training on techniques and tactics. The school was then created in Colombia along with the Colombian National Army Aviation
as a fifth regiment by Law 126 of 1919 of December 31 authorized by President of Colombia
, Marco Fidel Suárez
. The unit was officially activated on February 15, 1921 in Flandes
, Department of Tolima with the support of a French
mission led by Lieutenant Colonel Rene Guichard. The Aviation School initially had 3 Caudron G.3 E-2
, 3 Caudron G.4 A-2
and four Nieuport Delage 11 C-1
. The school was closed due to financial hardships in 1922.
The School of Military Aviation was reopened on November 8, 1924 in Madrid
, Department of Cundinamarca
with the support of a Swiss
mission headed by Captain Henry Pillichody. The aircraft
used for training were 4 Wild WT and 8 Wild X performing the first air review on August 7, 1927. Then on December 28, 1928 the first combat aircraft was shown in Colombia, the Curtiss Falcon O-1
.
vians illegally crossed into Colombian territory and invaded the town of Leticia in the Colombian Amazon
arguing and claiming that the town was original Peruvian territory. The Colombian military aviation only had 11 instructors, four Curtiss-Wright CW-14R Osprey air combat support planes and one Curtiss Falcon O-1
. The military aviation then received full financial support from the Congress of Colombia
. Colombia bought aircraft from Germany and the United States, while others were activated from the airline operating in Colombia SCADTA
(Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aéreo) and their pilots, which included some German citizens, one of these was Major Herbert Boy. The imported aircraft were 4 Junkers F.13
, 4 Junkers W 34 and 3 Junkers K 43, 6 Junkers Ju 52
, 2 Dornier Merkur II
, 4 Dornier Wal, 20 Curtiss Falcon F-8F
and 30 Curtiss Hawk II F-11C.
The contingent was then sent to southern Colombia to fight Peruvian forces with the main mission of delivering supplies to the front lines, aerial reconnaissance and air to land attacks. The fleet was divided into three squadrons with Puerto Boy as the main camp site. Support bases were in Caucaya airstrip
(Puerto Leguízamo
), El Encanto
, Puerto Arica
, La Pedrera
and Tarapacá
. The main combat operations started on February 14, 1933 in Tarapacá
where the Peruvian garrison was bombed by seven Colombian aircraft and later assaulted by land forces. Later, on March 26, in the village of Guepi eleven Colombian planes and two cannon boats (MC Cartagena y MC Santa Marta) bombarded Peruvian positions and took over the town.
The last military actions of the conflict with Peru were on May 8, 1933 and in which there was an aerial engagement between the two forces. Peruvian planes were attacking the fluvial fleet of Colombia over the Algodón River and were surprised by the Colombian squadron. One of the Peruvian aircraft, a Douglas O-38P
was gunned down and taken to Colombian territory. On May 24, 1933 a cease fire was declared after an agreement was reached with the intervention of the League of Nations
. The town of Leticia was returned to Colombia. The captured plane was then returned to Peru. As a result of the war, four pilots died in four accidents during non-combat related actions. Among these was one of the German pilots. Four planes were lost in these accidents a Falcon O-1, an Osprey C-14, a Junker F-13 and a Curtiss F-11.
, Italy
and Japan
), December 18, 1941, when President Eduardo Santos took the decision following the Japanese attack on military bases, naval and U.S. carriers at Pearl Harbor
, Hawaii. Thereafter, the Colombian government introduced special measures to limit and counter the Axis military action in areas of national jurisdiction. However, the June 23, 1942 a German submarine attacked and sank the schooner Colombian "Resolute", 50 miles northwest of the island of San Andrés. The same schooner had rescued some Marine officers and 23 British Royal Navy survivors of a capsized ship, 200 miles north of Cartagena just five days before.
Following these events, the government took the decision to patrol and monitor the Pacific Coast and the Colombian Caribbean coast. The Palanquero Air Base commanders decided to move one fighter squadron and a Combat Reconnaissance Squadron, consisting of F-8 Falcon aircraft, to Barranquilla,. In 1943, the Falcons were relieved of their mission and replaced by the AT-6 Texan
. This Squadron was active until 1945, when the AT-6 were transferred back to Palanquero Air Base.
Transportation and Maintenance:
Air Groups:
Training:
Airline:
FAC is not Colombia's exclusive operator of military aircraft, as smaller inventories are maintained by the Colombian Army
, Colombian Navy, and the Colombian National Police.
The aircraft used by the Colombian Air Force are identified with the letters "FAC" followed by three or four numbers numbers that are painted on the tail, nose and nose landing gear doors. The serial numbers are assigned according to the aircraft's primary role as follows:
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of the Republic of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
The Colombian Air Force (FAC) is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order. It is one of the largest Latin American air forces and increased activity due to its important role in the fight against narco-terrorism.
Air Force is the only global processes that have accredited with ISO 9001 and NTCGP 1000. The system corresponds to ISO 9001 quality management with the international standard, which inscribed the FAC as a world-class organization. The second certificate, the NTCGP 1000, corresponds to the technical standard of quality of governance, as a result of Act 872 of 2003 requires all public bodies to implement the quality management system by December 2008.
The FAC has the distinction of having been used in missions of observation and aerial combat from the Colombian-Peruvian war of 1932, never elected government was ousted by force, as the FAC helped quell many rebellions from terrorism, military and political . The Colombian Air Force also served with distinction during the Second World War in the islands of San Andrés.
Creation
Military aviation began in Colombia in 1919 with the creation of a military aviation school for the Colombian ArmyColombian Army
The National Army of Colombia is the land military force of the government of Colombia and the largest service of the Colombian Armed Forces...
. Previously by Law 15 of 1916 of September 7 two commissions were sent overseas to study new technological advancements in aviation, infantry, cavalry, engineering and trains. Officers pertaining to the Colombian Army were also sent to take a course on flight training on techniques and tactics. The school was then created in Colombia along with the Colombian National Army Aviation
Colombian National Army Aviation
The Colombian National Army Aviation is an aviation combat arms unit in the Colombian National Army. Its history dates back to December 31, 1919, but was not fully developed until August 25, 1995 when this unit is officially activated under the name "Aviación Ejército" The Army Aviation was...
as a fifth regiment by Law 126 of 1919 of December 31 authorized by President of Colombia
President of Colombia
The President of Colombia is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Colombia. The office of president was established upon the ratification of the Constitution of 1819, by the Congress of Angostura, convened in December 1819, when Colombia was part of "la Gran Colombia"...
, Marco Fidel Suárez
Marco Fidel Suárez
Marco Fidel Suárez was a Colombian political figure. He served as president of Colombia from 1918 to 1921. He was born on April 23, 1855, in the town of Hatoviejo, Antioquia...
. The unit was officially activated on February 15, 1921 in Flandes
Flandes
Flandes is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 22,064 as of the 1993 census....
, Department of Tolima with the support of a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
mission led by Lieutenant Colonel Rene Guichard. The Aviation School initially had 3 Caudron G.3 E-2
Caudron G.3
The Caudron G.3 was a single-engined French biplane built by Caudron, widely used in World War I as a reconnaissance aircraft and trainer. In comparison to its competitors, it had a better rate of climb and it was considered especially suitable in mountainous terrain.-Development:The Caudron G.3...
, 3 Caudron G.4 A-2
Caudron G.4
|-References:*Donald, David . The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Leicester, UK: Blitz Editions, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.* Kalevi Keskinen, Kyösti Partonen, Kari Stenman: Suomen Ilmavoimat I 1918-27, 2005. ISBN 952-99432-2-9....
and four Nieuport Delage 11 C-1
Nieuport 11
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzio, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. New York: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4....
. The school was closed due to financial hardships in 1922.
The School of Military Aviation was reopened on November 8, 1924 in Madrid
Madrid, Cundinamarca
Madrid is a town and municipality in the Department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The city is located at 19 miles from Bogotá City. The city's main and biggest industry is the growing of flowers, especially roses which are mostly exported to the United States and Japan.Madrid is well known because it...
, Department of Cundinamarca
Cundinamarca Department
- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
with the support of a Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
mission headed by Captain Henry Pillichody. The aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
used for training were 4 Wild WT and 8 Wild X performing the first air review on August 7, 1927. Then on December 28, 1928 the first combat aircraft was shown in Colombia, the Curtiss Falcon O-1
Curtiss Falcon
The Curtiss Falcon is a family of military biplane aircraft built by the United States aircraft manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company during the 1920s. Most saw service as part of the United States Army Air Corps as observation aircraft with the designations O-1 and O-11, or as the...
.
War with Peru
On September 1, 1932 civilian PeruPeru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
vians illegally crossed into Colombian territory and invaded the town of Leticia in the Colombian Amazon
Amazon Region of Colombia
The Amazonía Region is a region in southern Colombia. It comprises the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaupés, and covers an area of 403,000 km², 35% of Colombia's total territory...
arguing and claiming that the town was original Peruvian territory. The Colombian military aviation only had 11 instructors, four Curtiss-Wright CW-14R Osprey air combat support planes and one Curtiss Falcon O-1
Curtiss Falcon
The Curtiss Falcon is a family of military biplane aircraft built by the United States aircraft manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company during the 1920s. Most saw service as part of the United States Army Air Corps as observation aircraft with the designations O-1 and O-11, or as the...
. The military aviation then received full financial support from the Congress of Colombia
Congress of Colombia
The Congress of the Republic of Colombia is the name given to Colombia's bicameral national legislature.The Congress of Colombia consists of the 102-seat Senate , and the 166-seat Chamber of Representatives ...
. Colombia bought aircraft from Germany and the United States, while others were activated from the airline operating in Colombia SCADTA
SCADTA
The Colombian-German Air Transport Society , or SCADTA, was the world's second airline, and the first airline of the American continent, operating from 1919 until World War II. After the war, SCADTA merged with Colombian regional carrier Colombian Air Service , or SACO. Together, SCADTA and SACO...
(Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transporte Aéreo) and their pilots, which included some German citizens, one of these was Major Herbert Boy. The imported aircraft were 4 Junkers F.13
Junkers F.13
The Junkers F.13 was the world's first all-metal transport aircraft, developed in Germany at the end of World War I. It was an advanced cantilever-wing monoplane, with enclosed accommodation for four passengers. Over 300 were sold...
, 4 Junkers W 34 and 3 Junkers K 43, 6 Junkers Ju 52
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
, 2 Dornier Merkur II
Dornier Komet
-External links:...
, 4 Dornier Wal, 20 Curtiss Falcon F-8F
Curtiss Falcon
The Curtiss Falcon is a family of military biplane aircraft built by the United States aircraft manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company during the 1920s. Most saw service as part of the United States Army Air Corps as observation aircraft with the designations O-1 and O-11, or as the...
and 30 Curtiss Hawk II F-11C.
The contingent was then sent to southern Colombia to fight Peruvian forces with the main mission of delivering supplies to the front lines, aerial reconnaissance and air to land attacks. The fleet was divided into three squadrons with Puerto Boy as the main camp site. Support bases were in Caucaya airstrip
Caucaya Airport
Caucayá Airport is an airport serving Puerto Leguizamo, a town and municipality of the Putumayo department in Colombia.- Facilities :The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 12/30 with a asphalt surface measuring ....
(Puerto Leguízamo
Puerto Leguízamo
Puerto Leguizamo is a town and municipality located in the Putumayo Department, Republic of Colombia.-External links:...
), El Encanto
El Encanto
El Encanto is a town and municipality in the Amazonas Department, Colombia. It is located in the mouth of the Caraparaná River, tributary of the Putumayo River ....
, Puerto Arica
Puerto Arica
Puerto Arica is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Amazonas....
, La Pedrera
La Pedrera, Amazonas
La Pedrera is a town and municipality in the southern Colombian Department of Amazonas.-References:*...
and Tarapacá
Tarapacá, Amazonas
Tarapacá is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Amazonas.-External links:...
. The main combat operations started on February 14, 1933 in Tarapacá
Tarapacá, Amazonas
Tarapacá is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Amazonas.-External links:...
where the Peruvian garrison was bombed by seven Colombian aircraft and later assaulted by land forces. Later, on March 26, in the village of Guepi eleven Colombian planes and two cannon boats (MC Cartagena y MC Santa Marta) bombarded Peruvian positions and took over the town.
The last military actions of the conflict with Peru were on May 8, 1933 and in which there was an aerial engagement between the two forces. Peruvian planes were attacking the fluvial fleet of Colombia over the Algodón River and were surprised by the Colombian squadron. One of the Peruvian aircraft, a Douglas O-38P
Douglas O-38
-References:*The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, , 1152 pp.-External links:...
was gunned down and taken to Colombian territory. On May 24, 1933 a cease fire was declared after an agreement was reached with the intervention of the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
. The town of Leticia was returned to Colombia. The captured plane was then returned to Peru. As a result of the war, four pilots died in four accidents during non-combat related actions. Among these was one of the German pilots. Four planes were lost in these accidents a Falcon O-1, an Osprey C-14, a Junker F-13 and a Curtiss F-11.
World War II
The Second World War was the diplomatic breach between Colombia and the Axis countries (GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
), December 18, 1941, when President Eduardo Santos took the decision following the Japanese attack on military bases, naval and U.S. carriers at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii. Thereafter, the Colombian government introduced special measures to limit and counter the Axis military action in areas of national jurisdiction. However, the June 23, 1942 a German submarine attacked and sank the schooner Colombian "Resolute", 50 miles northwest of the island of San Andrés. The same schooner had rescued some Marine officers and 23 British Royal Navy survivors of a capsized ship, 200 miles north of Cartagena just five days before.
Following these events, the government took the decision to patrol and monitor the Pacific Coast and the Colombian Caribbean coast. The Palanquero Air Base commanders decided to move one fighter squadron and a Combat Reconnaissance Squadron, consisting of F-8 Falcon aircraft, to Barranquilla,. In 1943, the Falcons were relieved of their mission and replaced by the AT-6 Texan
North American T-6 Texan
The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
. This Squadron was active until 1945, when the AT-6 were transferred back to Palanquero Air Base.
Early 1930s to present
- In 1935 the first combat monoplanes made of aluminum were purchased by the Colombian Air Force; 4 Seversky P-35/2PA GuardsmanSeversky P-35The Seversky P-35 was a fighter aircraft built in the United States by the Seversky Aircraft Company in the late 1930s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, the P-35 was the first single-seat fighter in U.S...
.
- While the war was ongoing in southern Colombia, the Air Force built bases in the towns of BuenaventuraBuenaventura, ColombiaBuenaventura is a port city and municipality located in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia . Buenaventura is the main port of Colombia in the Pacific Ocean....
and CartagenaCartagena, ColombiaCartagena de Indias , is a large Caribbean beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region and capital of Bolívar Department...
. The base in Buenaventura was dubbed Air Base of the Pacific and covered the area of the Colombian Pacific regionPacific Region of ColombiaThe Pacific Region is one of the five major natural regions of the Colombian geography. The Pacific region covers the area near the Pacific Ocean in Colombia that contains certain endemic species and ecosystems accompanied by Colombian cultural influence....
by the Pacific OceanPacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
and began operations on January 26, 1933. The main purpose of this base was to protect the Pacific coast from any maritime intervention since there were reports that the Peruvian protected cruiserProtected cruiserThe protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...
BAP Almirante Grau was patrolling the area, as well as two submarines. The Buenaventura base closed in 1949 while the base in Cartagena was handed over to the Colombian Navy in 1936 becoming the ARC Bolívar Naval Base, the most important naval base in Colombia.
- Once the conflict with Peru was over the bases in the Amazon basin were dismantled and the troops sent to new bases like Tres Esquinas Air Force Base in the Department of Caqueta, Palanquero Air Force Base in the Department of CundinamarcaCundinamarca Department- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
and San José del GuaviareSan José del GuaviareSan José del Guaviare is a town and municipality in Colombia, capital of the department of Guaviare by the Guaviare River.-External links: *...
in the Department of GuaviareGuaviare DepartmentGuaviare is a department of Colombia. It is in the southern central region of the country. Its capital is San José del Guaviare. Guaviare was created on July 4, 1991 by the new Political Constitution of Colombia...
. Meanwhile the School of Military Aviation was moved to CaliCalìCalì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:...
, and leaving in MadridMadrid, CundinamarcaMadrid is a town and municipality in the Department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The city is located at 19 miles from Bogotá City. The city's main and biggest industry is the growing of flowers, especially roses which are mostly exported to the United States and Japan.Madrid is well known because it...
the Radiotelegraphy and Maintenance Schools.
- During World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, North American T-6 TexanT-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
s and Boeing PT-17 Stearmans were received from the USA for pilot training. Soon after World War Two, the Aviación Militar became an independent part of the armed forces, and the Colombian Air Force was created.
- During the period of La ViolenciaLa ViolenciaLa Violencia is a period of civil conflict in the Colombian countryside between supporters of the Colombian Liberal Party and the Colombian Conservative Party, a conflict which took place roughly from 1948 to 1958 ....
, The Air Force had the necessity to expand its radius of action, so in 1947 the aeródromo nacional de Apiay was created, named the 17 of November 1948 Base Aérea de Apiay, today it home of the Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 2. In this period, the Air Force became more involved in counterinsurgency tasks and B-26C InvadersA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
were acquired. Also, in 1954, the jet age began for the Colombian Air Force with the arrival of Silver Star T-33T-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
and six Canadian Sabre Mark IV F-86. The F-86 were retired from service 1966, while the T-33 continued to operate until 1972 when 18 Mirage 5 fighters arrived in three different versions. Sixteen F-80 Shooting StarsP-80 Shooting StarThe Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces. Designed in 1943 as a response to the German Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter, and delivered in just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying but...
were also delivered.
- In 1952, Hiller UH-12 helicopters arrived to the country, initially acquired for the Ministerio de Obras Públicas, but later assigned to the Air Force. In consequence, in 1954, the first helicopter base was created in Melgar, Tolima. Nowadays this base is known as Base Aérea “Capitán Luis F. Gómez Niño”, home of the Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 4 and the Joint Helicopter School of the Armed Forces. In 1959, with the inauguration of the El Dorado International AirportEl Dorado International AirportEl Dorado International Airport is an international airport located in Bogotá, Colombia. It is the largest Latin America airport in terms of cargo movements with 593,946 tons and the third in terms of passenger traffic, only behind São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport and Mexico City's...
, the Base Aérea de Transporte Militar was created, later renamed as Base Aérea “Brigadier General Camilo Daza”, home today of the Comando Aéreo de Transporte MilitarComando Aereo de transporte MilitarAir Command for Military Transportation, is major military airfield for the use of the Colombian Air Force...
(CATAM). In 1962 in order to integrate economically and socially the furthest regions of the country the Servicio Aéreo a Territorios Nacionales SatenaSATENASATENA is an Colombian military airline based in Fontibón, Bogotá, Colombia. It operates regional, domestic and international routes...
was created.
- Around 1960 the military transport element expanded, with the acquisition of the C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
, other types incorporated during the sixties were, the UH-1 Huey, T-37 Tweet and T-41 MescaleroT-41 MescaleroThe Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172 used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft.-Design and development:...
.
- In 1977, to increase control in the northern part of the country, the Grupo Aéreo del Norte was created in Malambo, Atlántico, home today of the Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 3. In 1979, the Grupo Aéreo del Caribe (GACAR) was created, to defend the sovereignty of San Andrés and Providencia from the pretensions of Nicaragua. In 1983, the Grupo Aéreo de Oriente was created in Marandúa, VichadaVichadaVichada may refer to:*Department of Vichada, a subdivision of Colombia*Vichada River, a river in eastern Colombia...
to exert more control of the airspace in the eastern part of the country.
- Further expansion took place in the eighties with considerable deliveries of the A-37 DragonflyA-37 DragonflyThe Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a United States light attack aircraft developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer in the 1960s and 1970s...
, which earned fame over VietnamVietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. At the end of the decade a batch of KfirKFIRKFIR is a radio station licensed to Sweet Home, Oregon, USA, the station serves the Willamette Valley. Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Salem, Sweet Home. News/Talk with Dennis Miller, Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, & Coast to Coast weekdays. The station is currently owned by Radio Fiesta Network,...
C2 fighters was delivered from Israel and subsequently upgraded to KfirKFIRKFIR is a radio station licensed to Sweet Home, Oregon, USA, the station serves the Willamette Valley. Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Salem, Sweet Home. News/Talk with Dennis Miller, Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, & Coast to Coast weekdays. The station is currently owned by Radio Fiesta Network,...
C7 by the Comando Aéreo de Mantenimiento (CAMAN) in Madrid in the nineties. The Mirages were upgraded to the same standard by CAMAN, with the installation of canards and improved fuel systems. Both types are also equipped for air-to-air refuelling from the FAC's sole Boeing 707C-135 Stratolifter|-See also:-External links:* at Globalsecurity.org...
tanker and transport aircraft. The nineties saw the delivery of specialised COIN-aircraft like the OV-10A BroncoOV-10 BroncoThe North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft...
and Embraer TucanoEmbraer EMB 312 TucanoThe Embraer EMB 312 Tucano is a two seat turboprop basic trainer developed in Brazil. The prototype first flew in 1980 and initial production units were delivered in 1983. The Tucano family of aircraft became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes, with 600 units produced...
trainers, some of the latter are able to carry bombs and unguided rockets. These aircraft operate mainly over the east of the country, where the Los Llanos region has a high level of guerrilla activity. They regularly deploy to Puerto CarreñoPuerto CarreñoPuerto Carreño is the departmental capital, and a municipality, of the department of Vichada in the llanos of Colombia.-History:In 1913 the Colombian government created the province of Vichada and it was decided that its capital should be at the convergence of the Orinoco and Meta rivers where...
under the command of the Grupo Aéreo del Oriente formed in 2000. To deal with continuing guerrilla activity Escuadrones Aerotácticos (tactical squadrons) were formed at the main FAC bases in the late nineties, consisting of several types of helicopters and AC-47 gunships supplied by their respective Grupos.
- Finally in 1990 the Base Aérea de Rionegro, Antioquia is activated, center of operations of the UH-60 Black Hawk, today this base is called Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 5.
- The 1999 'Plan Colombia' emphasizes on technology, rather than on large numbers of new aircraft being procured, although several new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters (dubbed Arpía in Colombian service) entered FAC service in recent years. Other recently acquired types include Schweizer SA2-37ASchweizer SGM 2-37The Schweizer SGM 2-37 is a two-place, side-by-side, fixed gear, low wing motor glider.A total of twelve were produced between 1982 and 1988, including nine for the United States Air Force Academy, which designated it the TG-7A...
Condors and Cessna 560Cessna Citation VThe Cessna Citation V is a turbofan-powered small-to-medium sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. The Citation brand of business jets encompasses several distinct "families" of aircraft, and the Citation V was the basis for one of these families...
Citations equipped with cameras and sensors to monitor guerrilla and narcotic related activities. Technology upgrades are scheduled for the Bronco fleet, the venerable AC-47 gunships and Huey-helicopters.
Organization
Combat Air Commands (Comando Aéreo de Combate or CACOM):- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 1 (CACOM 1) "CT. Germán Olano Moreno"
in Palanquero / Puerto SalgarPuerto SalgarPuerto Salgar is a municipality and town of Colombia in the department of Cundinamarca. It has come to international attention since the US ambassador in Colombia announced the Palanquero Air Base had entered a recertification process, possibly in order to host US military personnel as a...
, CundinamarcaCundinamarca Department- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
- Grupo de combate Nº 11
- Escuadrón de Combate 111 Dardos (Kfir C7IAI KfirThe Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:...
, Kfir TC7IAI KfirThe Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:...
) - Escuadrón de Combate 112 Mirage (Mirage 5COAMDassault Mirage 5The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic attack aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured in France and a number of other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter, and spawned several variants of its own.-Early development:The...
, Mirage 5CODMDassault Mirage 5The Dassault Mirage 5 is a supersonic attack aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1960s, and manufactured in France and a number of other countries. It was derived from Dassault's popular Mirage III fighter, and spawned several variants of its own.-Early development:The...
) - Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 113 Fantasma (AB212 RapázUH-1N Twin HueyThe Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
, AC-47T Fantasma, AH-60L Arpía III) - Escuadrón de Combate 116 Tango (T-37B, T-37C)
- Escuadrón de Combate 111 Dardos (Kfir C7
- Grupo de combate Nº 11
- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 2 (CACOM 2) "CT. Luis Fernando Gómez Niño"
in Apiay / VillavicencioVillavicencioVillavicencio is a city and municipality in Colombia, capital of the Department of Meta, with 361,058 inhabitants. The city is located at 4°08S, 73°40W, 75 km southeast of the Colombian capital city of Bogotá by the Guatiquía river...
, MetaMeta DepartmentMeta is a department of Colombia. It is close to the geographic center of the country, to the east of the Andean mountains. A large portion of the department, which is also crossed by the Meta River, is covered by a grassland plain known as the Llanos. Its capital is Villavicencio...
- Grupo de Combate Nº 21
- Escuadrón de Combate 211 Grifos (A-29B SupertucanoEmbraer EMB 314 Super TucanoThe Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, Dominican Republic and Colombia,...
) - Escuadrón de Combate 212 Tucanos (AT-27 TucanoEmbraer EMB 312 TucanoThe Embraer EMB 312 Tucano is a two seat turboprop basic trainer developed in Brazil. The prototype first flew in 1980 and initial production units were delivered in 1983. The Tucano family of aircraft became one of Embraer's first international marketing successes, with 600 units produced...
) - Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 213 (AH-60L Arpía III, C212-300, C208-675Cessna 208The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers...
, SA2-37B VampiroSchweizer SGM 2-37The Schweizer SGM 2-37 is a two-place, side-by-side, fixed gear, low wing motor glider.A total of twelve were produced between 1982 and 1988, including nine for the United States Air Force Academy, which designated it the TG-7A...
, SR-560Cessna Citation VThe Cessna Citation V is a turbofan-powered small-to-medium sized business jet built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. The Citation brand of business jets encompasses several distinct "families" of aircraft, and the Citation V was the basis for one of these families...
)
- Escuadrón de Combate 211 Grifos (A-29B Supertucano
- Grupo de Combate Nº 22 located in YopalYopalYopal is a municipality and capital city of the department of Casanare in Colombia.- Geographic information :*Population: 84 293 inhabitants*Elevation: 350 m*Extensión: 2,771 km²*Distance from Bogotá: 387 km*Median temperature: 26 °C-External links:...
, CasanareCasanare DepartmentCasanare is a department of Colombia. It is in the central eastern region of the country. Its capital is Yopal. It contains oil fields and an 800 km pipeline leading to the coastal port of Coveñas owned by BP.-Municipalities:# Aguazul# Chameza...
.- Escuadrón de Combate 221 Bronco (North American OV-10 BroncoOV-10 BroncoThe North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft...
)
- Escuadrón de Combate 221 Bronco (North American OV-10 Bronco
- Grupo de Combate Nº 21
- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 3 (CACOM 3) "MG. Alberto Pauwels Rodríguez"
in Malambo / BarranquillaBarranquillaBarranquilla is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,148,506 as of 2005, which makes it Colombia's...
, AtlánticoAtlántico DepartmentAtlántico is a department of Colombia, located in northern Colombia with the Caribbean sea to its north, the Bolívar Department to its south, and the Magdalena Department to its east separated by the Magdalena River...
- Grupo de Combate 31
- Escuadrón de Combate 311 Dragones (A-37 DragonflyA-37 DragonflyThe Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a United States light attack aircraft developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer in the 1960s and 1970s...
). - Escuadrón de Combate 312 Drakos (A-29B SupertucanoEmbraer EMB 314 Super TucanoThe Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, Dominican Republic and Colombia,...
). - Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 313 (AC-47T Fantasma, Bell 212 RapázUH-1N Twin HueyThe Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
, C-95AEmbraer EMB 110 BandeiranteThe Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties...
, SA2-37B VampiroSchweizer SGM 2-37The Schweizer SGM 2-37 is a two-place, side-by-side, fixed gear, low wing motor glider.A total of twelve were produced between 1982 and 1988, including nine for the United States Air Force Academy, which designated it the TG-7A...
, SR-26B TrackerC-26 Metroliner|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David, general editor. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X....
, UH-1 Huey IIUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
).
- Escuadrón de Combate 311 Dragones (A-37 Dragonfly
- Grupo de Combate 31
- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 4 (CACOM 4) "TC. Luis Francisco Pinto Parra"
in MelgarMelgarFoot Ball Club Melgar, known simply as FBC Melgar or Melgar, is a Peruvian soccer club based in Arequipa, Peru. It is one of Peru's oldest soccer teams, founded on March 25, 1915 by a group of soccer enthusiasts from Arequipa....
, Tolima- Grupo de Combate 41
- Escuadrón de Combate 411 Rapaz (Bell 212).
- Escuadrón de Asalto Aéreo 412 (Bell UH-1H/PUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
). - Eccuadron de Ataque 413 Escorpion (MD 500/530MD Helicopters MD 500The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...
).
- Grupo CSAR.
- Escuela de Helicópteros de las Fuerzas Armadas.
- Escuadrón de Vuelo (Bell UH-1HUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
, Bell 206Bell 206The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
, Bell OH-58 Kiowa).
- Escuadrón de Vuelo (Bell UH-1H
- Grupo de Combate 41
- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 5 (CACOM 5) "GR. Arturo Lema Posada"
in Rionegro, AntioquiaAntioquia DepartmentAntioquia is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the central northwestern part of Colombia with a narrow section that borders the Caribbean Sea. Most of its territory is mountainous with some valleys, much of which is part of the Andes mountain range...
- Grupo de Combate 51
- Escuadrón de Combate 511 (AH-60L Arpía III)
- Escuadrón de Operaciones Especiales 512 (Ce208-675Cessna 208The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers...
, UH-60A Halcon, UH-60L Halcon)
- Grupo de Combate 51
- Comando Aéreo de Combate No. 6 (CACOM 6) "CT. Ernesto Esguerra Cubides"
in Tres Esquinas, Caquetá- Grupo de Combate 61
- Escuadrón de Combate 611 (AT-27 Tucano, A-29B Supertucano)
- Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 613 (AC-47T Fantasma, Bell 212 Rapaz, C212-300, SA2-37B Vampiro, UH-1H-II, Scan Eagle UAV)
- Grupo de Combate 61
Transportation and Maintenance:
- Comando Aéreo de Transporte Militar
Comando Aereo de transporte MilitarAir Command for Military Transportation, is major military airfield for the use of the Colombian Air Force...
(CATAM) "BG. Camilo Daza Álvarez"
in BogotáBogotáBogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
D.C.- Grupo de Transporte Aéreo 81
- Escuadrón de Transporte 811 (C-130B, C-130H, C-130H-1, C295M, CN235M-100)
- Escuadron de Evacuación Medica.
- Grupo de Vuelos Especiales 82
- Escuadrón de Transporte Especial 821 (B707-323C, B737-74V, Beech 300 ELINT, Beech 350, Bell 412HP, C-95A, Ce208BCessna 208The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers...
, Ce550, F28-3000(C), PA-42-720, PA-42T, RC690D, RC695)
- Escuadrón de Transporte Especial 821 (B707-323C, B737-74V, Beech 300 ELINT, Beech 350, Bell 412HP, C-95A, Ce208B
- Grupo de Transporte Aéreo 81
- Comando Aéreo de Mantenimiento (CAMAN) "MY. Justino Mariño Cuesto"
in MadridMadrid, CundinamarcaMadrid is a town and municipality in the Department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The city is located at 19 miles from Bogotá City. The city's main and biggest industry is the growing of flowers, especially roses which are mostly exported to the United States and Japan.Madrid is well known because it...
, CundinamarcaCundinamarca Department- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
- Grupo de Transporte Aéreo 91
- Escuadrón de Transporte 911 (Beech C90, C212-300)
- Grupo de Transporte Aéreo 91
Air Groups:
- Grupo Aéreo del Caribe (GACAR) "TC. Benjamín Méndez Rey"
on San Andres Island, San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina- Escuadrón de Combate 101
- Escuadrilla de Combate Táctico 1013 (Beech C90)
- Escuadrón de Combate 101
- Grupo Aéreo del Oriente (GAORI) "CR. Luis Arturo Rodríguez Meneses"
in Marandúa, VichadaVichada DepartmentVichada is a department of the Republic of Colombia in South America. Vichada is located in the eastern plains of Colombia, in the Orinoquia region within the Orinoco river basin bordering the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the north and east...
- Grupo de Combate 111
- Escuadrilla de Combate Táctico 1113 (AC-47T Fantasma, AB212 RapazUH-1N Twin HueyThe Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
, UH-1H-II, Scan Eagle UAV)
- Escuadrilla de Combate Táctico 1113 (AC-47T Fantasma, AB212 Rapaz
- Grupo de Combate 111
Training:
- Escuela Militar de Aviación (EMAVI) "Marco Fidel Suárez
Marco Fidel SuárezMarco Fidel Suárez was a Colombian political figure. He served as president of Colombia from 1918 to 1921. He was born on April 23, 1855, in the town of Hatoviejo, Antioquia...
"
in Santiago de CaliCalìCalì, also written in English as Cali, is an Italian surname, widespread mainly in the Ionian side of Sicily.For the surname Calì is assumed the origin of the Greek word kalos , or from its Sanskrit root kali, "time."The surname refers to:...
, Valle del CaucaValle del Cauca DepartmentValle del Cauca is a department of Colombia. It is in the western side of the country, facing the Pacific Ocean, and it is considered one of the most important departments in the Republic of Colombia. Its capital is Santiago de Cali...
- Grupo de Educación Aeronáutica
- Escuadrón Básico
- Grupo de Combate 71
- Escuadrón de Combate Táctico 713
- Grupo de Educación Aeronáutica
- Escuela de Suboficiales FAC (ESUFA) "CT. Andrés Maria Díaz Díaz"
in MadridMadrid, CundinamarcaMadrid is a town and municipality in the Department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. The city is located at 19 miles from Bogotá City. The city's main and biggest industry is the growing of flowers, especially roses which are mostly exported to the United States and Japan.Madrid is well known because it...
, CundinamarcaCundinamarca Department- Origin of the name :The name of Cundinamarca comes from Kundur marqa, an indigenous expression, probably derived from Quechua. Meaning "Condor's Nest", it was used in pre-Columbian times by the natives of the Magdalena Valley to refer to the nearby highlands....
- Instituto Militar Aeronáutico (IMA) "CT. José Edmundo Sandoval"
in BogotáBogotáBogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
D.C.
Airline:
- Servicio de Aeronavegación a Territorios Nacionales
SATENASATENA is an Colombian military airline based in Fontibón, Bogotá, Colombia. It operates regional, domestic and international routes...
(SATENA)
Personnel
As of 2010 , the Air Force fields approximately 13,500 personnel, including 2,171 officers, 3,304 Non-commissioned officers, 903 student officers, 4,673 soldiers, these usually allocated to base security, Military Police etc, and 2,382 civilians, the latter usually dedicated to specialized technical or professional activities, eg, medical, communications, etc.Ranks & Insignias
The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Air Force personnel.| Ranks and Insignias - Colombian Air Force | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Officers | |||||||||||
| OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||
| - | GR | TG | MG | BG | CR | TC | MY | CT | TE | ST | |
| - | General of the Air | Lieutenant General of the Air | Major General of the Air | Brigadier General of the Air | Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... |
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... >Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... |
Captain Captain (OF-2) The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery... |
Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... |
[Second Lieutenant]] | ||
Non-Commissioned Officers and Airmen | |||||||||||
| OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||
| TJCC | TJC | TJ | TS | TP | T2 | T3 | T4 | AT | - | ||
| Joint Command Chief Technician | Command Chief Technician | Senior Chief Technician Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the... |
Chief Technician Master Sergeant A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF... |
Technician First Class Technical Sergeant Technical Sergeant is the name of one current and two former enlisted ranks in the United States military.-United States Air Force:Technical Sergeant, or Tech Sergeant, is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. A technical sergeant is... |
Technician 2nd Class Staff Sergeant Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:... |
Technician 3rd Class Senior Airman Senior airman is the fourth enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above airman first class and below staff sergeant. It has a pay grade of E-4... |
Junior Technician Airman First Class Airman first class is the third enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, just above airman and below senior airman. The rank of airman first class is considered a junior enlisted rank, with the non-commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers above it.Airman first class is a... |
Airman Airman An airman is a member of the air component of a nation's armed service. In the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force , it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank... |
- | ||
Aircraft inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| IAI Kfir IAI Kfir The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:... |
Fighter/attack | C.12, TC.12 /C.10, TC.10 (in Colombia denominated "Kfir COA") | 24 | |||
| Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano | Combat | 25 | ||||
| North American OV-10 Bronco | Combat/Counter Insurgency | 6 | ||||
| AC-47 Spooky AC-47 Spooky The Douglas AC-47 Spooky was the first in a series of gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War... |
Combat/Counter Insurgency | 6 | Locally known as Fantasmas (Ghost) | |||
| A-37 Dragonfly A-37 Dragonfly The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, or Super Tweet, is a United States light attack aircraft developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer in the 1960s and 1970s... |
Combat/Counter Insurgency | 13 | ||||
| Total Combat Aircraft | 74 | |||||
| Trainers Trainer (aircraft) A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows... |
||||||
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero | Trainer | T-41D | 10 | |||
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor | Trainer | T-34M | 10 | |||
| Cessna T-37 Tweet | Trainer | T-37B Tweet/T-37C Tweet | 14 | |||
| Embraer Tucano | Attack/Trainer | AT-27 | 14 | |||
| Total Trainer Aircraft | 34 | |||||
| Transports Military transport aircraft Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in... |
||||||
| Beechcraft Queen Air | Utility transport | 65-B80 | 2 | |||
| Beechcraft Twin Bonanza Beechcraft Twin Bonanza |-See also:-References:Twin Bonanza Association http://twinbonanza.com... |
Utility transport | D50 | 1 | |||
| Boeing 707 Boeing 707 The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on... |
Transport Tanker | 707-373C | 1 | |||
| Boeing 767 Boeing 767 The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail... |
Transport Tanker | KC-767 | 1 | |||
| Boeing Business Jet Boeing Business Jet |-External links:* .* .*... |
VIP transport | BBJ1 | 1 | |||
| Fokker F28 Fokker F28 The Fokker F28 Fellowship is a short range jet airliner designed and built by defunct Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:... |
VIP transport | F28-1000/F28-3000 | 2 | |||
| Cessna Citation II | VIP transport | 550 Citation II | 1 | |||
| CASA C-212 Aviocar | Tactical transport | C-212-300 | 3 | |||
| CASA CN-235 CASA CN-235 The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport... |
Tactical transport | CN-235-200 | 3 | |||
| EADS CASA C-295 EADS CASA C-295 The EADS CASA C-295 is a twin-turboprop tactical military transport aircraft manufactured by Airbus Military in Spain.-Design and development:... |
Tactical transport | C-95M | 4 | |||
| Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante The Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante is a general purpose 15-21 passenger twin-turboprop light transport aircraft suitable for military and civil duties... |
Transport | EMB 110P1A | 2 | |||
| Gavilan 358 | Utility transport | 4 | ||||
| IAI Arava IAI Arava |-See also:-References:* Cohen, Irvine J. "Arava: Israel's first-born bids for world market". Air Enthusiast International, February 1974, Vol 6, No 2. pp. 55–61, 92–93.... |
Utility transport | Arava 201 | 1 | |||
| C-130 Hercules C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport... |
Tactical transport | C-130B/C-13H | 7 | |||
| Piper PA-23 Aztec Piper Aztec -Accidents and incidents:*On 18 April 1974, Aztec G-AYDE was involved in a ground collision with BAC One-Eleven G-AXMJ at London Luton Airport after the pilot of the Aztec entered the active runway without clearance. He was killed and his passenger was injured... |
Utility transport | 1 | ||||
| Piper PA-31T Cheyenne Piper PA-31T Cheyenne -See also:-References:*Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976, ISBN 0-354-00538-3.-External links:*... |
Utility transport | 1 | ||||
| Piper PA-34 Seneca Piper PA-34 Seneca The Piper PA-34 Seneca is an American twin-engined light aircraft, produced by Piper Aircraft since 1971 and still in production in 2011.The Seneca is primarily used for personal and business flying.-Development:... |
Utility transport | 3 | ||||
| Cessna 208 Caravan Piper PA-31 Navajo The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for the general aviation market, most using Lycoming engines. It was also licence-built in a number of Latin American countries. Targeted at small-scale cargo and feeder liner operations and... |
Utility transport | 1 | ||||
| Cessna 208 Caravan Cessna 208 The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers... |
Liaison | 5 | ||||
| Total Transport Aircraft | 45 | |||||
| Helicopter Helicopter A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally... |
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| Bell 205 | Utility helicopter | Model 205 UH-1H/P | 26 | |||
| Bell 212 Twin Huey | Transport helicopter | 12 | ||||
| MD Helicopters MD500 Defender MD 500 Defender |-See also:-External links:* *... |
Combat helicopter | 369HM/MD 530FF | 16 | |||
| Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition in 1972... |
Transport helicopter and Combat helicopter | UH-60L/AH-60 Arpía | 90 | |||
| Bell 206 Bell 206 The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected... |
Trainer helicopter | Bell 206B-III | 32 | |||
| Total Transport helicopters/Search and Rescue Helicopters | 176 | |||||
| Reconnaissance Reconnaissance Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment.... and Intelligence |
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| Schweizer SA 2-37 | reconnaissance | 6 | ||||
| Fairchild C-26 Metroliner | Transport / SIGINT | C-26A | 5 | |||
| Cessna CitationJet | Tracker | Citation SR-560 | 6 | |||
| Cessna O-2 | Tracker | 2 | ||||
| Beechcraft Super King Air Beechcraft Super King Air The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation . The King Air line comprises a number of model series that fall into two families: the Model 90 series, Model 100 series , Model 200 series and Model 300 series... |
ELINT | Super King Air 300 | 6 | |||
| Total Reconnaissance and Intelligence | 25 | |||||
| Satena SATENA SATENA is an Colombian military airline based in Fontibón, Bogotá, Colombia. It operates regional, domestic and international routes... |
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| Dornier Do328-100 Dornier 328 |-See also:- References :* Swanborough, Gordon. "Dornier 328: A Daimler for Commuters". Air International, March 1992, Vol. 42 No. 3. pp. 123–128. ISSN 0306-5634.... |
Airliner | 33 seats | 6 | |||
| ATR 42-500 | Airliner | 46 seats | 2 | |||
| Embraer ERJ 145 | Airliner | 50 seats | 2 | |||
| Embraer 170 | Airliner | 76 seats | 2 | |||
| Total Satena Aircraft | 12 | |||||
| Total Aircraft in service | ||||||
| Total Aircraft in service | 385 | |||||
FAC is not Colombia's exclusive operator of military aircraft, as smaller inventories are maintained by the Colombian Army
Colombian National Army Aviation
The Colombian National Army Aviation is an aviation combat arms unit in the Colombian National Army. Its history dates back to December 31, 1919, but was not fully developed until August 25, 1995 when this unit is officially activated under the name "Aviación Ejército" The Army Aviation was...
, Colombian Navy, and the Colombian National Police.
Aircraft identification
- 001 Avión Presidencial
- 002 to 100 trainer
- 101 to 200 liaison
- 201 to 300 helicopter
- 301 to 500 miscellaneous
- 501 to 600 light transport
- 601 to 700 transport
- 701 to 800 advanced trainer
- 801 to 900 fighter-bomber
- 901 to 1000 crew-trainer
- 1001 to 1300 transport
- 2001 to 2300 Close support
- 2501 to 2600 bomber
- 3001 to 3100 Fighter
- 3101 to 3200 COIN
- 4001 to 4600 helicopter
- 5001 to 5600 liaison
- 5701 to 5800 recon/ELINT
External links
- Air Force Bases in Colombia at GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
Fuerza Aérea Colombiana Colombia: Seguridad & Defensa, Unofficial site Aviacol.net: History of the Colombian Air Force UNFFMM página no oficial de las Fuerzas Militares de Colombia Combat aircraft of the FAC, at SAORBATS