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" (Army Aviation) The Army Aviation was created to support ground operations from the air.

History

Military aviation began in Colombia in 1919 with the creation of a military aviation school for the Colombian Army. Previously by Law 15 of 1916 of September 7 to 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 is 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 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 on 1922.

Current Order of Battle

25th Army Aviation Brigade (Comando Operativo 25 de Aviacion)

• Army Aviation Operational Command (AAB Fuerte Tolemaida)

Army Aviation Base Fuerte Tolemaida, "General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla"

• 2nd Air Assault Aviation Battalion operating UH-60L
• 3rd Equipment and Troop Transport Aviation Battalion operating Ми-17-1В/МД/-5В
• 4th Recinnaissance and Escort Aviation Battalion operating UH-1N
• 5th Aerial Movement Aviation Battalion operating UH-1H-II
• Special Operations Aviation Battalion
• Primary and Secondary Training Aviation Battalion
• 6th Aviation Maintenance Battalion
• 25th Aviation Support and Service Battalion

Army Aviation Base Bogotà, El Dorado I.A.P.

• 1st Aircraft Aviation Battalion operating Aн-32Б, C212-100, Ce208B, RC695/A and various Beech aircrafy types
• Army Aviation School operating CeTU206G and PA-34-220T
• Aviation Overhaul and Service Battalion

Army Aviation Base Larandia

• Detachment of 2nd AAABn operating UH-60L
• Detachment of 4th REABn operating UH-1N
• Detachment of 5th AMABn operating UH-1H-II
• 6th Mobility and Manoeuvre Battalion operating helicopters detached from the parent units

Army Aviation Base San José del Guaviare

• Detachment of 2nd AAABn operating UH-60L
• Detachment of 4th REABn operating UH-1N
• Detachment of 5th AMABn operating UH-1H-II
• 4th Mobility and Manoeuvre Battalion operating helicopters detached from the parent units

Army Aviation Base Tumaco

• Detachment of 2nd AAABn operating UH-60L
• Detachment of 4th REABn operating UH-1N
• Detachment of 5th AMABn operating UH-1H-II

Batallón de Movilidad y Maniobra No. 1 Forward Operating Base Buena Vista

• 1st Mobility and Manoeuvre Battalion operating helicopters detached from the parent units

Forward Operating Base Saravena

• 5th Mobility and Manoeuvre Battalion operating helicopters detached from the parent units

Aircraft inventory

While reliant on the Colombian Air Force for heavier air support, the Army maintains a fleet of 114 aircraft, including 99 helicopters.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[1]	Notes
Gulfstream Turbo Commander	United States	utility transport	Commander 980 Commander 1000	4
Beechcraft King Air	United States	utility transport	Model 90	1
Beechcraft Super King Air	United States	Utility transport, ELINT	Model 200 Model 350	2 1
Cessna 206 Stationair	United States	Utility transport		3[2]
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Utility transport		2[2]
Casa C212	Spain	Utility transport, Medevac	C212-100	2
Bell UH-1 Iroquois	United States	Utility helicopter	UH-1H	30
Bell UH-1N Twin Huey	United States	Transport helicopter	UH-1N	26
Convair 580	United States	Airliner		1
Antonov An-32	Russia	Transport aircraft		2
Mil Mi-17 Hip-H	Russia	Transport helicopter	Mi-17 1V Mi-17 V5	23
Piper PA-31 Navajo	United States	utility		1
Piper PA-34 Seneca	United States	utility		4
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk	United States	Transport helicopter	UH-60L	50

See also

• Army aviation

References

1. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
2. ^ ^{a b} http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/colombia/Army/Colombia-arav_current_inventory.htm

External links

• (Spanish) Colombia: Seguridad & Defensa - Unofficial site
• (Spanish)UNFFMM - Unofficial site