• Forum
• Images

• Military Menu                       

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space
• Public Eye

Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Argentina

The intangibility of air space and the large dimensions of Argentine air spaces spreading over national jurisdiction land and sea areas are the main factors that determine the structure and deployment of the Air Force. The essential importance of the Service for efficient jointness also affects those aspects, while its mobility and redeployment capability make it a natural asset, contributing to the country's international project requirements.

The Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA) -- Argentina’s Air Force -- is a military institution of essentially civilian origins. The inception of the Escuela Militar de Aviación (Air Military School), which took place on 10 August 1912, was mainly the result of steps taken by a group of Argentine gentlemen who were fond of traveling by air. At that time, military aviation became a part of the Ejército Argentino (Argentine Army) as one of its organic elements and remained so until 4 January 1945, when a presidential order (during the administration of General Edelmiro J. Farrell, whose Minister of Defense was General Juan D. Perón) instituted the FAA as an autonomous armed service like the Army and the Navy.

Up to 1 May 1982, the FAA had carried out nothing but routine activities. It had never participated in any war against any foreign country. However, the FAA began on that memorable date its baptism of fire in defending the interests of Argentina. On 2 April 1982, Malvinas Islands were occupied by units from the three armed services of Argentina through an operation that was bloodless for the British side. After the war came to an end on 14 June 1982, a thorough analysis of the air units’ performance was made. Some of the lost aircraft were replaced, and an initial internal rearrangement was carried out in order to achieve as much advantage as possible from the remaining aeronautical assets.

The mission of the Air Operations Command is to plan and conduct training activities for the operational resources and operational support resources, and to execute in due time any airspace operations and special tasks entrusted to it. To training effects, the Air Operations Command has Brigades and Air Bases forming Air Groups and/or Squadrons, as well as Technical Support and Logistical Support Squadrons which allow it to train the personnel to perform the various Airspace Operations and their respective Operational Tasks and Operational Support Tasks.

• I Air Brigade (I Brigada Aérea), BAM El Palomar (Buenos Aires).
  • Air Group No.1 - Transporte (Grupo Aéreo I de Transporte): C-130B/H, KC-130H, L-100-30, F-28 Mk 1000, F-27 Mk 400M/600, Boeing 707-372C/387B/389B.
• II Air Brigade (II Brigada Aérea), BAM General Urquiza (Paraná).
  • Air Group No. 2 - Bombers (Grupo Aéreo 2 de Bombardeo): BAC Canberra B-62/T-64, Learjet 35A, FMA IA-50 Guaraní II
• III Air Brigade (III Brigada Aérea), BAM Reconquista
  • Air Group No. 3 - Fighters (Grupo Aéreo 3 de Ataque): IA-58A Pucará
• IV Air Brigade (IV Brigada Aérea), BAM El Plumerillo (Mendoza)
  • Air Group No. 4 - Fighters (Grupo Aéreo 4 de Caza): IA-63 Pampa, MS 760A Paris, SA 315C Lama
• V Air Brigade (V Brigada Aérea), BAM General Pringles (Villa Reynolds)
  • Air Group No. 5 - Fighters (Grupo Aéreo 5 de Ataque): O/A-4AR Skyhawk
• VI Air Brigade (VI Brigada Aérea), BAM Tandil
  • Air Group No. 6 - Fighters (Grupo Aéreo 6 de Caza): Mirage IIIEA/DA, Mirage 5PA, IAI Finger
• VII Air Brigade (VII Brigada Aérea), BAM Mariano Moreno
  • Air Group No. 7 - Helicopters (Grupo Aéreo 7 de Helicópteros: Hughes 369HE/500D/E, UH-1D/212, 308 Chinook, S-61R, Rockwell 500U Shrike
• IX Air Brigade (IX BRIGADA AEREA), BAM Comodoro Rivadavia
  • Air Group No. 9 - Transport (Grupo Aéreo 9 de Transporte): F-27 Mk 400M/600, DHC-6-200 Twin Otter

The main role of the Personnel Command relates to personnel education, training and welfare, and participate in their training through the various Schools and Institutes

The basic function of the Air Regions Command is to exercise the powers provided for in act 17285 "Aeronautical Code" and its amendments according to act 21521, "National Aeronautical Police" and act 12945 "National Meteorology Service". It also manages air traffic, communications, aircraft and personnel registration and certification, the promotion of civil aviation activities, the prevention and investigation of civilian accidents in the national territory and jurisdictional waters and other associated responsibilities, consistent with the country's international commitments within the frame of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). To accomplish its tasks, the Air Regions Command has adopted an adequate organization to carry out the specific functions of each of its areas.

The Material Command provides technical and logistical support for the Argentine Air Force and its main role is to plan and manage the Service's material logistics. Its structure is mainly formed by the following units. Río IV Material Area main role is to implement major maintenance work plans and aviation material research, development, repair and manufacturing activities. Quilmes Material Area: Its main responsibilities are to repair and maintain aircraft, helicopters, engines, propellers, instruments and fittings, electronic equipment, heavy vehicles and automotive vehicles. Palomar Supply Group is very important because it receives and delivers all the materials supplied to the Air Force, from airplane spares through engines, electronic and communication systems, to the individual equipment for each soldier. Córdoba Material Administration Group was created after the privatization of the Córdoba Material Area. Its functions are to control and follow up the work to be performed for the Service by Lockheed Aircraft Argentina S.A.