Dominican Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Air Force of the Dominican Republic or Fuerza Aérea Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic
, together with the Army
and the Navy
.
. Until 1942 only about a dozen aircraft were purchased. The service was renamed Compañia de Aviación del Ejército Nacional on October 26, 1942. Whilst granting base facilities to the United States
during World War II
the Dominican Republic received limited quantities of Lend-Lease military equipment. In 1947 a group of Dominican Republic exiles from Cuba
tried to invade the country. The government wanted to receive large quantities of bombers and fighters aircraft from the United States, but the government blocked these sales and prevented sales of the Canadian
government to President Trujillo. But agents of the president managed to buy some Beaufighter and Mosquito
aircraft from the United Kingdom
. After signing the Rio Treaty 1947 the Dominican Republic received large quantities of aircraft, for example 25 P-47D fighter-bomber and 30 AT-6
trainers from the United States. With this influx of aircraft the Compañia de Aviación expanded and became an independent service on January 15, 1948, and was renamed Cuerpo de Aviación Militar Dominicana. It moved its headquarters to Base Aérea Presidente Trujillo, in the capital's suburb of San Isidro.
The Air Force underwent several name changes during the 1950s, being known as the Dominican Military Aviation during 1952-55 and 1957–62 and as the Dominican Air Force during 1955-57. In 1962 it again became known as the Dominican Air Force, the name is still in use today.
In 1952, 25 Vampires
and 32 North American P-51D were bought from Sweden
but similar purchases from Canada and Japan
were again blocked by the United States. By 1956 the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana had about 240 aircraft. During the next years most of the post-war equipment was at the end of its useful life. After the assassination of President Trujillo in 1961 funds for the Air Force decreased and in 1963 the Air Force had only 110 aircraft.
During the next 15 years the number of aircraft in the Air Force declined again and only second-line material, such as training aircraft or helicopters, were acquired. In the early 1980s the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana had about 80 aircraft in five operational squadrons with most of the aircraft and helicopters operating out of San Isidro Air Base in Santo Domingo
.
On the 22nd of September 1998 Hurricane George striked San Isidro the main FAD base and destroyed one hangar and severely damaged another, destroying the aircraft in both hangars. The natural disaster saw the FAD new aircraft enter service such as eight ENAER T-35 Pilláns that were delivered in two batches, the first in November 1999 and the second in January 2000. During the same period two CASA 212-400 transport planes were ordered.
The Dominican Air Force was offered 3 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters by its U.S allies, but turned the offer down due to that it could not afford the maintenance. In 2007 the Dominican Air Force announced that it will purchase 8 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
aircraft from Brazil. By the end of 2008 the purchase was approved and the first two aircraft were delivered in 2009. The Dominican Air force recently acquired a EL/M-2106NG - Air Defense Search Radar - ADSR.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Bell UH-1 Iroquois || || utility helicopter || UH-1H
UH-1H Huey II || 3
8 ||
|-----
| Bell OH-58 Kiowa
|| || scout helicopter || OH-58A || 10 || 2 Ex-MdG 0601 & 0602 were transferred to the Air Force
|-----
| Bell 430
|| || utility helicopter || || 1 || on loan for Presidential Transport
|-----
| CASA C-212 Aviocar || || transport || C-212-400 || 3 ||
|-----
| Embraer Super Tucano || || attack, trainer || AT-29B || 8 ||
|-----
| ENAER Pillán
|| || trainer || T-35B || 6 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter Dauphin
|| || utility helicopter || AS 365N1 || 1 || Presidential Transport
|-----
| Hughes H-6 Cayuse
|| || scout helicopter || OH-6A || 1 ||
|-----
| Schweizer 333 || || utility helicopter || || 3 ||
|-----
| Aero Commander 500 || || VIP Division || || 1 ||
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Service
|-----
| Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress || || Bomber || B-17G || 2 || 1947–1958
|-----
| Beaufighter || || Bomber || TF.X || 10 || 1948–1954
|-----
| De Havilland Mosquito
|| || Bomber || || || 1948–1954
|-----
| North American B-25 Mitchell || || Bomber || B-25C/H/G/J || 5 || 1950–1967
|-----
| Lockheed P-38 Lightning || || Heavy Fighter || || 11 || 1947–1950
|-----
| Republic P-47 Thunderbolt || || Fighter || P-47D || 25 || 1947–1957
|-----
| De Havilland Vampire
|| || Fighter || 25 F1
17 FB.50 || 42 || 1952–1974
|-----
| North American P-51 Mustang || || Fighter || P-51D || 50 || 1948–1984
|-----
| A-37 Dragonfly
|| || Light attack || A-37B || 8 || 1982–2001
|-----
| North American T-6 Texan
|| || Trainer || || 68 || 1943–1995
|-----
| Vultee BT-13 Valiant || || Trainer || B-13A || 25 || 1943–1954
|-----
| Boeing-Stearman Model 75 || || Trainer || PT-13/17 || 25 || 1943–1954
|-----
| Cessna AT-17
|| || Trainer || T-50 || 4 || 1950–1952
|-----
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor || || Trainer || T-34B || || -1982
|-----
| North American T-28 Trojan || || Trainer || T-28A/B || || -1982
|-----
| Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star || || Trainer || AT-33A || || -1982
|-----
| Cessna O-2 Skymaster || || Obersvartion || O-2A || 5 ||
|-----
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain || || Transport || || || -1982
|-----
| Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando || || Transport || || || -1982
|-----
| Douglas A-26 Invader || || Bomber || || ||
|-----
| Consolidated PBY Catalina || || Flying boat || PBY-5A || 7 || 1946–1957
Military of the Dominican Republic
The Military of the Dominican Republic or Fuerzas Armadas de la República Dominicana consists of approximately 44,000 active duty personnel, about 40 percent of which are utilized for non-military operations, including security providers for government-owned non-military facilities, toll security,...
, together with the Army
Dominican Army
The Army of the Dominican Republic or Ejército Nacional de la República Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Navy and the Air Force....
and the Navy
Dominican Navy
The Navy of the Dominican Republic or Marina de Guerra Dominicana , is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force.-History:...
.
History
In 1932 the El Arma de Aviación del Ejército Nacional was formed as part of the Dominican ArmyDominican Army
The Army of the Dominican Republic or Ejército Nacional de la República Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Navy and the Air Force....
. Until 1942 only about a dozen aircraft were purchased. The service was renamed Compañia de Aviación del Ejército Nacional on October 26, 1942. Whilst granting base facilities to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during World War II
World War II
World 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...
the Dominican Republic received limited quantities of Lend-Lease military equipment. In 1947 a group of Dominican Republic exiles from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
tried to invade the country. The government wanted to receive large quantities of bombers and fighters aircraft from the United States, but the government blocked these sales and prevented sales of the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
government to President Trujillo. But agents of the president managed to buy some Beaufighter and Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
aircraft from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. After signing the Rio Treaty 1947 the Dominican Republic received large quantities of aircraft, for example 25 P-47D fighter-bomber and 30 AT-6
AT-6
AT-6 may refer to:* AT-6 Spiral, the NATO reporting name for an anti-tank missile system of the Soviet Union.* T-6 Texan, a WW2-era training aircraft used by numerous air forces....
trainers from the United States. With this influx of aircraft the Compañia de Aviación expanded and became an independent service on January 15, 1948, and was renamed Cuerpo de Aviación Militar Dominicana. It moved its headquarters to Base Aérea Presidente Trujillo, in the capital's suburb of San Isidro.
The Air Force underwent several name changes during the 1950s, being known as the Dominican Military Aviation during 1952-55 and 1957–62 and as the Dominican Air Force during 1955-57. In 1962 it again became known as the Dominican Air Force, the name is still in use today.
In 1952, 25 Vampires
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
and 32 North American P-51D were bought from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
but similar purchases from Canada 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...
were again blocked by the United States. By 1956 the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana had about 240 aircraft. During the next years most of the post-war equipment was at the end of its useful life. After the assassination of President Trujillo in 1961 funds for the Air Force decreased and in 1963 the Air Force had only 110 aircraft.
During the next 15 years the number of aircraft in the Air Force declined again and only second-line material, such as training aircraft or helicopters, were acquired. In the early 1980s the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana had about 80 aircraft in five operational squadrons with most of the aircraft and helicopters operating out of San Isidro Air Base in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
.
On the 22nd of September 1998 Hurricane George striked San Isidro the main FAD base and destroyed one hangar and severely damaged another, destroying the aircraft in both hangars. The natural disaster saw the FAD new aircraft enter service such as eight ENAER T-35 Pilláns that were delivered in two batches, the first in November 1999 and the second in January 2000. During the same period two CASA 212-400 transport planes were ordered.
Aircraft inventory
The Air Force operates 44 aircraft, including 27 helicopters.The Dominican Air Force was offered 3 Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters by its U.S allies, but turned the offer down due to that it could not afford the maintenance. In 2007 the Dominican Air Force announced that it will purchase 8 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
The 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,...
aircraft from Brazil. By the end of 2008 the purchase was approved and the first two aircraft were delivered in 2009. The Dominican Air force recently acquired a EL/M-2106NG - Air Defense Search Radar - ADSR.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Bell UH-1 Iroquois || || utility helicopter || UH-1H
UH-1H Huey II || 3
8 ||
|-----
| Bell OH-58 Kiowa
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...
|| || scout helicopter || OH-58A || 10 || 2 Ex-MdG 0601 & 0602 were transferred to the Air Force
|-----
| Bell 430
Bell 430
-External links:*...
|| || utility helicopter || || 1 || on loan for Presidential Transport
|-----
| CASA C-212 Aviocar || || transport || C-212-400 || 3 ||
|-----
| Embraer Super Tucano || || attack, trainer || AT-29B || 8 ||
|-----
| ENAER Pillán
T-35 Pillán
Not to be confused with the T-35 Buckaroo. For other uses, see: T35 Not to be confused with the T-35 Buckaroo. For other uses, see: T35 ...
|| || trainer || T-35B || 6 ||
|-----
| Eurocopter Dauphin
Eurocopter Dauphin
The Eurocopter SA 365/AS365 Dauphin 2 is a medium-weight multipurpose twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter .-Design and development:...
|| || utility helicopter || AS 365N1 || 1 || Presidential Transport
|-----
| Hughes H-6 Cayuse
Hughes H-6
The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse is a single-engine light helicopter with a four-bladed main rotor used for personnel transport, escort and attack missions, and observation...
|| || scout helicopter || OH-6A || 1 ||
|-----
| Schweizer 333 || || utility helicopter || || 3 ||
|-----
| Aero Commander 500 || || VIP Division || || 1 ||
Old Aircraft inventory
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Service
|-----
| Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress || || Bomber || B-17G || 2 || 1947–1958
|-----
| Beaufighter || || Bomber || TF.X || 10 || 1948–1954
|-----
| De Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
|| || Bomber || || || 1948–1954
|-----
| North American B-25 Mitchell || || Bomber || B-25C/H/G/J || 5 || 1950–1967
|-----
| Lockheed P-38 Lightning || || Heavy Fighter || || 11 || 1947–1950
|-----
| Republic P-47 Thunderbolt || || Fighter || P-47D || 25 || 1947–1957
|-----
| De Havilland Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
|| || Fighter || 25 F1
17 FB.50 || 42 || 1952–1974
|-----
| North American P-51 Mustang || || Fighter || P-51D || 50 || 1948–1984
|-----
| 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...
|| || Light attack || A-37B || 8 || 1982–2001
|-----
| North American T-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...
|| || Trainer || || 68 || 1943–1995
|-----
| Vultee BT-13 Valiant || || Trainer || B-13A || 25 || 1943–1954
|-----
| Boeing-Stearman Model 75 || || Trainer || PT-13/17 || 25 || 1943–1954
|-----
| Cessna AT-17
Cessna AT-17
-References:NotesBibliography* Mondey, David. American Aircraft of World War II . London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7537-1461-4....
|| || Trainer || T-50 || 4 || 1950–1952
|-----
| Beechcraft T-34 Mentor || || Trainer || T-34B || || -1982
|-----
| North American T-28 Trojan || || Trainer || T-28A/B || || -1982
|-----
| Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star || || Trainer || AT-33A || || -1982
|-----
| Cessna O-2 Skymaster || || Obersvartion || O-2A || 5 ||
|-----
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain || || Transport || || || -1982
|-----
| Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando || || Transport || || || -1982
|-----
| Douglas A-26 Invader || || Bomber || || ||
|-----
| Consolidated PBY Catalina || || Flying boat || PBY-5A || 7 || 1946–1957