FAE – Ecuadorian Air Force

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The 27 October, the FAE – Ecuadorian Air Force it's anniversary and they celebrate 98 years of Creation of the Ecuadorian Military Aviation and Day of the Ecuadorian Air Force, defending the interests of the country.

have already passed 99 years since the FAE – Ecuadorian Air Force began its operation with the aim of protecting Ecuadorian interests from the air. With a single initial mission to defend the sovereignty of Ecuador, the FAE was founded a 27 October 1920 with the creation of the first military aviation school in Quito and Guayaquil, thanks to the newly elected President Dr. Jose Luis Tamayo. As part of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces, this institution has had ups and downs during its history, but he has always left the name of the country very high, being one of the few air forces in the region that has developed air combat, in both cases with Peru (1981 and 1995). Currently, in an atmosphere of peace with neighboring countries, the Air Force has a mission to connect, communicate and help the country with humanitarian flights, medical evacuations, cargo transport to remote areas and many other social aid.

History of the Ecuadorian Air Force

The Air Force in its early days 1920, was subordinate to the Ecuadorian Army, led at that time by Italian pilots and advisers thanks to the support and agreements of the time between both countries, but due to lack of resources at the time, facilities and equipment were poor, so for the armed conflict of 1941 with Peru, the airplanes, purely for training and without weapons, they had no role in the conflict, so after this invasion, the authorities took a real interest in military aviation.

During World War II and thanks to the support of the United States, which built air bases in Galapagos and Ecuador (Salinas) for the defense of the Panama Canal, the Air Force consolidated, equipping itself with modern equipment of that time and to 1943 it was recognized as an independent branch of the Armed Forces. On 1947 receive the first 12 F-47D Thunderbolt, thus forming the first combat squad.

Aerial combat in the Cenepa

Each 10 February marks the anniversary of the Aerial Victory of Cenepa and Combat Aviation Day, thanks to the demanding training and remarkable professionalism of the pilots of the FAE who managed to operate anywhere in Ecuador; and obtain a notorious aerial supremacy during the armed conflict with Peru due to the Cenepa War, between 26 of January and the 28 February 1995.

By using speed, distance and deterrent power, The Ecuadorian Air Force achieved important milestones in its history by achieving the first shootdowns in the history of South America during air-to-air combat or "dogfight" between two or more combat aircraft.

Being the 12:45pm salen 4 Ecuadorian interceptors (2 Mirage F.1JAs y 2 IAI Kfir C.2s) of the squads 2112 “Mirage” y 2113 “K-fir” after having detected 5 aircraft and having received the order to "Scramble" the 12:30p, of the day 10 February 1995. An IAI Kfir C.2 shoots down a Peruvian A-37B, and two Peruvian Su-22s are shot down by the Mirage F.1,49 while another Peruvian A-37B manages to escape from an IAI Kfir C.2 after a great maneuver flying at tree level.

Milestones of the Ecuadorian Air Force

Information in collaboration with www.fuerzaaereaecuatoriana.mil.ec.

Birth of the Ecuadorian Air Force

27 OCTOBER 1920
The government of Dr.. Jose Luis Tamayo, makes the first decree on aeronautical activity and the first military aviation school, thus giving way to the birth of the Ecuadorian Air Force.

AT-6

21 OF JANUARY OF 1943
The modern aircraft of North American origin AT-6 arrive in the country, marking a new era of development in the aeronautical field.

FR-9

FEBRUARY OF 1955
Ecuador enters the jet age with the acquisition of the Gloster Meteor FR.9, weeks later the Canberra Mk jet aircraft would arrive 6.

TAME

4 FROM DECEMBER TO 1962
The operations of the transport airline begin TAME – Ecuadorian Military Air Transport.

A-37

1975
They arrive in the country 12 Cessna A-37 aircraft at Taura Air Base, to give way to innovation and vanguard of a strong air defense.

First Supersonic Squadron

14 OF JANUARY OF 1977
The first Jaguar supersonic fighter squadron is formed, later the Mirage F-1 and K-Fir C-2 fighter planes would arrive.

DIAF

15 JUNE 1992
The Aeronautical Industry Directorate of the Air Force is created, DIAF

Cenepa conflict

10 FEBRUARY 1995
The heroic deed and victory of the first aerial combat in Latin America during the Cenepa conflict is carried out.

I promotion of female cadets

2 APRIL 2000
The first promotion of women enters the Cosme Rennella B Military Aviation School., as Specialist Officers.

I promotion of specialist women

27 JANUARY OF THE YEAR 2008
The first promotion of female soldiers in various specialties makes its entrance, to the Air Infantry School

First zero gravity flight

6 MAY 2008
The Ecuadorian Air Force completed the first zero gravity flight carried out in Ecuador and in Latin America aboard the Sabreliner aircraft called Fuerza G1 "Cóndor", reconverted with a gravimeter that was made with the human resources of the FAE and the knowledge of our Ecuadorian astronaut.

I promotion of Technical Students

AUGUST 2009
The Air Force Technical School receives the first promotion of Technical Students.

super toucan

JANUARY 2010
The Super Tucano aircraft arrive at the Combat Wing No.. 23 in blanket, creating the new squad 2313, decommissioning the legendary MK-89.

Cheetah

JUNE 2011
The aircraft of South African Cheetah origin arrive in our country to the Combat Wing No.. 21 to effectively strengthen its operational capacity.

I female Brigadier Major

OCTOBER 2011
The FAE had the first female Brigadier Major in the Armed Forces. In this year the first military pilot cadets graduated (who entered in 2007): Lieutenants Jhoanna Santacruz (Brig. Mayor), Maria Jose Narvaez, together with three female technical officers: Mary Flowers (Personal), Sandra Chamorro (Maintenance) and Ana Carvajal (supplies). What's more, the group of troop women, between them: the first female mechanic on the flight line of the Super Tucano aircraft, Soldier Diana Cuasapaz; the first female musician in a military band in the Armed Forces. from Ecuador, Soldier Silvana Sandoval (COAD), and a woman aeronautical firefighter, Alexandra Acosta (Ala 21).

Diamond DA-20C1

YEAR 2012
The Air Force carries out the acquisition of basic training aircraft with their respective logistical support and training, of the Diamond DA-20 C1 model, of the Canadian company Diamond Aircraft.

Casa C-295M

AUGUST 2014
The Air Force received the first of three Casa C-295M aircraft. At the Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta, this military ceremony was held to replace the flight equipment of the Squadron No.. 1112, between the CASA C-295M aircraft and the AVRO HS-748, the latter was discharged from air operations, making a remembrance of the main missions accomplished by the Avro plane that served Ecuador for more than four decades and even came to be identified as a presidential plane.

Earthquake 2016

2016
Once the State of Exception was decreed as a result of the earthquake in 7.8 degrees raised on 16 April of 2016 In our country; The Ecuadorian Air Force, fulfilling the constitutional mission, activated the respective procedures to act in this type of emergency..

Hence, in the early hours of Sunday 17 of April, made its transport aircraft available, as well as the sending of the human contingent to the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas to support the evacuations and rescue of the wounded and deceased., whose FAE military personnel also carried out patrols the 24 hours to provide security to the affected populations, in order to avoid possible invasions of private property. Completed missions that have allowed the transfer of military personnel, doctors, rescuers, paramedics, general citizenship and cargo; What: vituallas, foods, medicines and medical and removal equipment.

This is how Ecuadorian aviation arises, written by dint of heroism and bravery, forging a new caste of heroes called to defend their sovereignty from the skies and carry the name of Ecuador in style.

Historical fleet of the Ecuadorian Air Force

In the following list of historical aircraft of the FAE, only the aircraft of the last 15 approximately years of history. The list could be incomplete due to lack of public information:

Basic training

• Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
• Piper PA-34
• Cessna A-150

Combat and defense training

• 28 Cessna A-37 Dragonfly – 3 were transferred to the Uruguayan Air Force
• BAC Strikemaster Mk 89/89A

Transport

• 1 Boeing 727-100 FAE-630.
• 1 Boeing 727-200 FAE-620.
• 5 Avro HS 748
• C-130 Hercules B/H
• Sabreliner 60
• Cessna 206H
• 1 Sabreliner 40A FAE-043

Bailing out

• Bell 212
• Bell 412
• HAL Dhruv
• Aerospatiale Alouette III

Combat

• 6 Mirage 50
• 12 IAI Kfir.CE
• 2 IAI Kfir T.C2 (training)
• 18 Mirage F1
• 15 SEPECAT Jaguar 2 Jaguar-B, 10 Jaguar-S intl., 3 Jaguar-GR.1

Presidential Transportation

• 1 Avro HS 748

Ecuadorian Air Force news

The FAE has currently established itself as a social assistance entity on a national scale. The Ecuadorian Air Force was fundamental during the April Earthquake 2016, performing hundreds of humanitarian and personnel transport flights, activating all the planes of the Transport Wing No. 11 available. Equally, regularly, the Air Force carries out cargo flights to the Galapagos or medical evacuations in several distant locations in the country, always with the mission of serving all Ecuadorians with programs such as Wings for Joy, Wings for Health, Wings for Integration, Wings for Sport and Wings for Education.

Although its current function is to provide social assistance, the FAE has not left behind its mission of being a Force always ready, modern and prepared to defend the interests of the country, so it always maintains current and activates its fleet of combat aircraft.

Ecuadorian Air Force Mission

Develop military air power, To achieve the institutional objectives that guarantee the defense, contribute to the security and development of the nation.

Vision of the Ecuadorian Air Force

«Being a deterrent air force, respected and accepted by society; pioneer in national aerospace development."

Current fleet of the Ecuadorian Air Force

The FAE maintains a diverse fleet designed to fulfill various missions in Ecuadorian territory. since the last years, The Air Force has made great efforts to gradually modernize its fleet, how was the change of the Avro for the Casa 295M and the incorporation of the Beechcraft King Air for light transport.

FAE fleet 2019

The list could be incomplete due to lack of public information:

Basic training

• 10 Diamond DA-20C1

Combat and defense training

• 16 Embraer EMB314Super Tucano FAE1012, FAE1011, FAE1010, FAE1014

Transport

• 1 Boeing 737-200 FAE-630
• 2 DHC-6 Twin Otter FAE-452 FAE-452
• 1 Hercules L-100 FAE-893
• 1 Beechcraft King Air B300/350 FAE-1141
• 3 Casa 295M FAE-1030, FAE-1031, FAE-1032

Bailing out

• 4 AgustaWestland AW119 Koala
• 2 Bell TH57-A FAE-408, FAE-410
• 1 MD Helicopters MD 500 FAE-

Combat

• 11 Atlas Cheetah C/D

Presidential Transportation

• 1 Embraer 135-BJ Legacy FAE-051
• 1 Dassault Falcon 7X FAE-052

Surveillance and UAV

• 1 Gulfstream II G-1159
• 3 UAV-2 Hawk
• 1 UAV-2 Sparrowhawk

Future of the Ecuadorian Air Force

The main challenge for the FAE is to complete the modernization of all its flight equipment that is close to reaching its useful life. Planes like the Sabreliner, Twin Otter, Hercules y Boeing 737 They will need to be replaced in the next few years., since its operational life is close to the limit, but the general maintenance option for these aircraft, it is also an option to extend its useful life, definitely, a more appropriate option to the general budget of the State.

The FAE has already incorporated 4 helicopters AgustaWestland AW119 Koala for search and rescue missions focused on the Ecuadorian Amazon and the northern border with Colombia.

The main project for an Air Force will always be the renewal of its combat fleet, point where the FAE and the Government must analyze alternatives that adapt, mostly on budget, to the reality of the country. The current Cheetah C still have years of operation given their low use, so its replacement would be in studios and second-hand planes, for example Russian or French planes, would be an attractive replacement. It was learned that several aircraft have been studied, but even if you have a defined option, where even in the 2009, F-16s were an option.

Whatever the replacement of transport or combat aircraft, in times of peace, the FAE does not need to rush into a renewal, but if you do everything possible to maintain its operation for the social benefit of Ecuador.

Anniversary Air Parade 99 Ecuadorian Air Force

The details of what was the air parade before the centenary, you can see and read them here:

Ecuadorian Air Force one step away from the centenary

Anniversary Air Parade 98 Ecuadorian Air Force

Some photos of air parade of 2018 you can see them below:

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A post shared by Nicolás Larenas (@n_larenas)

Anniversary Air Parade 97 Ecuadorian Air Force

A) Yes, the FAE is approaching its first centenary, for which he would be preparing a great celebration at the national level, which would include, for instance, the participation of the demonstration squadron F-16D United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

Congratulations to the Ecuadorian Air Force!

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