Guatemalan Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca or FAG) is a small air force composed mostly of U.S.-made aircraft throughout its history.
The FAG is a subordinate to the Guatemalan Military
and its commanding officer reports directly to the Commander in Chief of the Army, the President
.
hindered any further expansion until 1942, when Guatemala started to receive lend-lease military assistance. Guatemala signed the Rio Treaty of Inter-American Assistance in 1947. The air force was renamed the Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca (FAG) in 1948. The first jet aircraft to enter service were thirteen Cessna A-37 Dragonfly that were delivered in 1974/1975. In 1978 U.S. military aid was stopped because of a negative Guatemala human rights record, so Guatemala turned to countries like Argentina, Israel and Switzerland. Turning to Switzerland for aircraft resulted in twelve Pilatus PC-7
acquired in 1979/1980 for training, but were used in combat. A military coup that brought in a more moderate military Junta to power in 1982, saw the arms embargo lifted in 1983.
From the 1970s to 1990s the Guatemalan Air Force was heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations against guerrilla forces. Helicopters were used to support the army, and air strikes launched by A-37 light-attack jets and PC-7 armed trainers. One A-37 was lost in action in 1985.
Although the role of the FAG has been much diminished since the Guatemala Peace Treaty was signed in 1996, they have served the country after natural disasters, most notably after the Hurricane Mitch
and Hurricane Stan
. During these disasters, helicopters were used to rescue stranded people, and cargo planes were used to carry food, water and emergency medical equipment to villages and remote places that had been cut-off.
in Guatemala City
, which is also the country's major airport. All main attack, transport, liaison and helicopter squadrons are based there. The other base with a seemingly fixed presence is at Retalhuleu, where the Military School of Aviation ('Escuela Militar de Aviación') is located. The other two bases are at Santa Elena, Petén
'Base Aérea del Sur' in Retalhuleu
and San José Escuintla
.
The Cessna A-37 is the main jet aircraft, while Pilatus PC-7
s are used for training. In 2009 Guatemala acquired a squadron of 10 new Super Tucano
turboprop
counter-insurgency fighters.
! 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;"|Delivered
|-----
| Basler BT-67
|| || Tactical transport || || 4 || 6
|-----
| Beechcraft King Air
|| || Presidential transport
Utility transport || F90
65-A90
C90 || 1
5
3 ||
|-----
| Beechcraft Super King Air
|| || Presidential transport
Utility transport || 200
300
300 || 1
1
2 ||
|-----
| Bell UH-1 Iroquois
|| || Utility helicopter || UH-1H || 4 ||13
|-----
| Bell 206 JetRanger
|| || Utility helicopter || 206B
206L || 3
3 || 15
|-----
| Bell 212 Twin Huey || || Transport helicopter || || 7 || 10
|-----
| Bell 412
|| || Transport helicopter || 412EP || 3 ||7
|-----
| Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon || || Utility || || 1 ||
|-----
| Cessna A-37 Dragonfly
|| || Light attack/COIN || A-37B || 2 ||13
|-----
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero
|| || Trainer || T-41D || 1 ||
|-----
| Cessna 206 Stationair || || Utility|| U206G || 2 ||10
|-----
| Cessna 210 Centurion
|| || Utility || || 2 ||
|-----
| Embraer A-29 Super Tucano
|| || Light attack || || 10 ||
|-----
| ENAER T-35 Pillán || || Trainer || T-35B || 4 ||5
|-----
| Fokker F27
|| || Utility transport || F27-200
F27-400M || 1
1 ||6
|-----
| IAI Arava
|| || Tactical transport || Arava 201 || 7 || 11
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
|| || Trainer/Light attack || || 5 ||12
|-----
| Piper PA-31 Navajo
|| || Utility transport || || 1 ||8
The FAG is a subordinate to the Guatemalan Military
Military of Guatemala
The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
and its commanding officer reports directly to the Commander in Chief of the Army, the President
President of Guatemala
The title of President of Guatemala has been the usual title of the leader of Guatemala since 1839, when that title was assumed by Mariano Rivera Paz...
.
History
In 1920 a French military aviation mission opened a flying training school. The 'Cuerpo de Aviacion Militar de Guatemala' was established in 1929 and started to expand in 1934. The outbreak of World War IIWorld 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...
hindered any further expansion until 1942, when Guatemala started to receive lend-lease military assistance. Guatemala signed the Rio Treaty of Inter-American Assistance in 1947. The air force was renamed the Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca (FAG) in 1948. The first jet aircraft to enter service were thirteen Cessna A-37 Dragonfly that were delivered in 1974/1975. In 1978 U.S. military aid was stopped because of a negative Guatemala human rights record, so Guatemala turned to countries like Argentina, Israel and Switzerland. Turning to Switzerland for aircraft resulted in twelve Pilatus PC-7
Pilatus PC-7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air forces as...
acquired in 1979/1980 for training, but were used in combat. A military coup that brought in a more moderate military Junta to power in 1982, saw the arms embargo lifted in 1983.
From the 1970s to 1990s the Guatemalan Air Force was heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations against guerrilla forces. Helicopters were used to support the army, and air strikes launched by A-37 light-attack jets and PC-7 armed trainers. One A-37 was lost in action in 1985.
Although the role of the FAG has been much diminished since the Guatemala Peace Treaty was signed in 1996, they have served the country after natural disasters, most notably after the Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch was the most powerful hurricane and the most destructive of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph . The storm was the thirteenth tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the season. Along with Hurricane Georges, Mitch...
and Hurricane Stan
Hurricane Stan
Hurricane Stan was the eighteenth named tropical storm and eleventh hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It was also the sixth of seven tropical cyclones to make landfall in Mexico. Stan was a relatively weak storm that only briefly reached hurricane status...
. During these disasters, helicopters were used to rescue stranded people, and cargo planes were used to carry food, water and emergency medical equipment to villages and remote places that had been cut-off.
Structure
The FAG is composed of three groups or "wings": the Fixed Wing, the "Rotary Wing (helicopters), and the Maintenance Wing which performs the aircraft's maintenance. The "wings" operate out of four bases throughout the country, without a fixed allocation of units to bases. The principal base is La AuroraLa Aurora International Airport
La Aurora International Airport serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is located south of Guatemala City's center and from Antigua. It is administered by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil....
in Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, which is also the country's major airport. All main attack, transport, liaison and helicopter squadrons are based there. The other base with a seemingly fixed presence is at Retalhuleu, where the Military School of Aviation ('Escuela Militar de Aviación') is located. The other two bases are at Santa Elena, Petén
Petén (department)
Petén is a department of the nation of Guatemala. It is geographically the northernmost department of Guatemala, as well as the largest in size — at it accounts for about one third of Guatemala's area. The capital is Flores...
'Base Aérea del Sur' in Retalhuleu
Retalhuleu
The city of Retalhuleu is in south-western Guatemala. It is the departmental seat of Retalhuleu department as well as the municipal seat of Retalhuleu municipality....
and San José Escuintla
Escuintla
Escuintla is a city in south central Guatemala. It is the capital of the Escuintla Department and the administrative seat of Escuintla Municipality....
.
The Cessna A-37 is the main jet aircraft, while Pilatus PC-7
Pilatus PC-7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air forces as...
s are used for training. In 2009 Guatemala acquired a squadron of 10 new 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,...
turboprop
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
counter-insurgency fighters.
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;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Delivered
|-----
| Basler BT-67
Basler BT-67
-See also:-External links:* * * * *...
|| || Tactical transport || || 4 || 6
|-----
| Beechcraft King Air
Beechcraft King Air
The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation...
|| || Presidential transport
Utility transport || F90
65-A90
C90 || 1
5
3 ||
|-----
| 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...
|| || Presidential transport
Utility transport || 200
300
300 || 1
1
2 ||
|-----
| Bell UH-1 Iroquois
UH-1 Iroquois
The 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...
|| || Utility helicopter || UH-1H || 4 ||13
|-----
| Bell 206 JetRanger
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...
|| || Utility helicopter || 206B
206L || 3
3 || 15
|-----
| Bell 212 Twin Huey || || Transport helicopter || || 7 || 10
|-----
| Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
|| || Transport helicopter || 412EP || 3 ||7
|-----
| Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon || || Utility || || 1 ||
|-----
| Cessna 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/COIN || A-37B || 2 ||13
|-----
| Cessna T-41 Mescalero
T-41 Mescalero
The 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:...
|| || Trainer || T-41D || 1 ||
|-----
| Cessna 206 Stationair || || Utility|| U206G || 2 ||10
|-----
| Cessna 210 Centurion
Cessna 210
The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...
|| || Utility || || 2 ||
|-----
| Embraer A-29 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,...
|| || Light attack || || 10 ||
|-----
| ENAER T-35 Pillán || || Trainer || T-35B || 4 ||5
|-----
| Fokker F27
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
|| || Utility transport || F27-200
F27-400M || 1
1 ||6
|-----
| 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....
|| || Tactical transport || Arava 201 || 7 || 11
|-----
| Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
Pilatus PC-7
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying. It has been selected by more than twenty air forces as...
|| || Trainer/Light attack || || 5 ||12
|-----
| Piper PA-31 Navajo
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 ||8
Aircraft out of service
- 3 SNIAS SA-316B Alouette-III
Early Modern France-Light Helicopter - 3 SNIAS SA-315B Lama Early Modern France-Light Helicopter
- 3 Sikorsky S-76 Spirit-Utility Helicopter
- 8 Lockheed AT-33AJet Trainer\CAS Aircraft
- 2 SIAI SF-260 Warrior
Italy-Light Attack Aircraft - 26 Douglas C-47 Dakota-Transport Aircraft