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Mexican Air Force

The Mexican Air Force (FAM; Spanish: Fuerza Aérea Mexicana) is the air service branch of the Mexican Armed Forces. It is a component of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA). The objective of the FAM is to defend the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Mexico. Its auxiliary tasks include internal security, assisting with public works, and natural disaster management. As of 2023, its commander is Bertín Hernández Mercado.[1]

Mexican Air Force
Fuerza Aérea Mexicana
Founded1913; 111 years ago (1913)
Country Mexico
Branch Mexican Army
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size30,517 (2024)
Part ofMexican Armed Forces
Nickname(s)FAM
Motto(s)
  • Honor, Valor y Lealtad
  • "Honour, Courage and Loyalty"
Anniversaries10 February
Engagements
Websitewww.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id=95
Commanders
Current
commander
Bertín Hernández Mercado[1]
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
AttackPC-7, PC-9M, MD 500, T-6C+
Electronic
warfare
Embraer R-99
HelicopterMil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17, EC-725, UH-60, MD 500
InterceptorNorthrop F-5E
ReconnaissanceC-90A King Air, Sabreliner 75A, Fairchild C-26
TrainerPC-7, PC-9M
TransportC-130, Boeing 787, Boeing 757, IAI Arava, Antonov An-32

History edit

Mexican Revolution edit

 
The Curtiss aircraft Sonora was used for observation and bombing. Mexico, 1913.

The foundation of the Mexican airforce was led by five Mexican flight pioneers who were sent to New York by President Francisco Madero to master flying: Juan Pablo and Eduardo Aldasoro, Alberto and Gustavo Salinas and Horacio Ruiz. They returned to Mexico in 1913 not only as founders, but also teachers for the next generation of pilots.

The official predecessor of the Air Force was the Army's Auxiliary Aerial Militia Squadron (Escuadrilla Aérea de la Milicia Auxiliar del Ejército), created during the Mexican Revolution in April 1913 by the Secretary of War and Navy General Manuel Mondragón, who authorized pilots Miguel Lebrija and Juan Guillermo Villasana [es] to test out bomb targets on Campo de Balbuena, the first airport in Mexico, now located in Jardín Balbuena in Mexico City.[2]

The air force exclusively performed reconnaissance missions until 10 May 1913, when Didier Masson and a Joaquín Bauche Alcalde dropped 15 kilograms of dynamite on rebel boats. Although the attack did not cause any damage below, it is the first known instance of air-to-sea bombing. Masson also performed leaflet drops, also considered the first ever done.[3]

On February 5, 1915, the leader of the Constitutionalist Army, Venustiano Carranza, founded the Military Aviation Arm (Arma de Aviación Militar), which would become the current air force. Its first commander was Lt. Alberto Salinas Carranza.[4]

Other rebellions edit

 
General O'Neill Standing with President Obregon

When WWI Ace U.S. Colonel Ralph O'Neill was hired to head the restructuring of the Mexican Air Force in 1920, he reported to General Plutarco Elías Calles that most of the aircraft available had to be replaced. Until August 1920, the entire fleet consisted of 13 national made prototypes of mixed engine design. These were functional yet ill-equipped for battle, 4 being scout monoplanes. 5 others were in repair and over 20 more at the TNCA were obsolete or wrecked beyond repair. The branch initially consisted of 27 pilots, 17 of which were cadets. In anticipation of the new "Chief", a purchase was made of 13 French Farman F.50 night bombers. Commander O'Neill soon acquired 35 British made Avro 504K and Avro 504J airplanes, which later would be made in Mexico under the name Avro Anáhuac.[5] O'Neill was the first to introduce the term "Fuerza Aérea Mexicana" (FAM) naming the organization as such. The next step was the formation of classified fighter, bombing, observation and reconnaissance squadrons, as well as the decentralization of Air Force units throughout the country at strategic bases. O'Neill then set to work with his co-instructors German Fritz Bieler and Frenchman Joe Ben Lievre, using the first intercom known as the "Gosport System", invented by Robert Smith-Barry, in order to give in-air commands. O'Neill not only implemented new combat strategy, but also flew many decisive missions.

From 1923 to 1929, Mexico was immersed in a wave of violent territorial, religious and military armed rebellions, which required the new Air Force to quickly deploy support wherever the federal army requested them. These conflicts were resolved mostly by the assertive use of air superiority alone.

On December 7, 1923, former President Adolfo de la Huerta launched a military coup (delahuertista rebellion) against the government of President Álvaro Obregón. The situation was extremely critical, because along with de la Huerta, about 60% of the army revolted, including various high-ranking generals across the country. The power tilted back in favor of the federal forces when the United States agreed to furnish the Mexican government with a fleet of new de Havilland DH-4B aircraft equipped with the Liberty motor, armed with Lewis and Vickers machine guns and able to carry bombs. The military coup was suffocated by February 1924.

In 1925, due to the shortage of airplanes caused by World War I, Mexico set up the National Aviation Workshops (TNCA) to design and build its own airplanes and aeroengines.

 
Emilio Carranza.

A territorial war was that of the Sonora Yaqui Indians who demanded by force that previous territorial treaties were implemented. The conflict lasted from 1926 to 1927, and it came to an end when a new treaty was implemented.

When President Plutarco Elías Calles pushed for the creation of the 'Mexican Apostolic Catholic Church', independent of Rome, it unleashed a widespread religious war known as the Cristero War. This long civil war lasted from 1926 to 1929.

In May 1927, while General Obregón seemed keen to impose the presidency to General Calles, General Arnulfo R. Gómez launched a military coup against both Obregón and Calles. His command posts were located in the cities of Puebla and Veracruz, where he led approximately 200 federal deserters, ammunition and weapons. The air force played a key role in their defeat.

Then, on March 3, 1929, a serious military coup took place, led by General José Gonzalo Escobar and heeded by various other generals. In these days, the air force's remaining airplanes consisted of worn and shot Bristol F.2 Fighter, Bristol Boarhound, de Havilland DH-4B and Douglas O-2C, a force that was not suitable to defeat Escobar's power.[6][7] In this context, the Mexican government convinced the U.S. government to promote the peace south of its border and quickly make available twelve new OU-2M Corsair with the 400 hp Wasp engine, nine Douglas O-2M, four Stearman C3B and six Waco Taper Wings. Only two weeks after making the request, the U.S. government agreed, and several Mexican pilots travelled to Brownsville, Texas, and New York to pick up the new aircraft. The key victory was decided in late March 1929 at the Battle of Jiménez, Chihuahua, where after several days of air raids, Escobar was defeated by General Calles, taking about 6000 prisoners.[8] This rebellion was quite serious, since a third of the officials and nearly 30,000 soldiers rebelled; in two months, more than 2000 men had been killed.

In May 1938, the Governor of San Luis Potosí, General Saturnino Cedillo, declared himself in rebellion and President Lázaro Cárdenas travelled there to personally mount the campaign against the revolt. The Air Force organized a mixed fleet of 17 aircraft that included some new V-99M Corsair, engaging the enemy assertively when spotted. Cedillo quickly realized he had no chance in open fields against the air force and ran to the Huasteca Hills, where his men dispersed, abandoning him.[9]

With the imminent collapse of the Spanish Republic in 1939, the Mexican government took delivery of military aircraft destined for the Republic, strengthening its arsenal.

World War II edit

 
Mexican P-47D Thunderbolt over the Philippines (1945)

The Escuadrón 201, a P-47D fighter squadron of the Fuerza Aérea Expedicionaria Mexicana (Mexican Expeditionary Air Force), served in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan during World War II. It consisted of 25 aircraft and had 300 airmen and supporting staff. The 201st Squadron, completed 96 combat missions over the Philippines (Battle of Luzon) and Formosa (Taiwan). It is the only unit of the Mexican armed forces ever to see overseas combat.[10]

Cold War era edit

The first jet aircraft operated by the Mexican Air Force was the subsonic de Havilland Vampire Mk.I. Mexico received 17 Vampires during late 1960 and early 1961. This jet was nicknamed "The Flying Avocado" by Mexican flight crews due to the ovoid shape of its fuselage and the dark green night camouflage adopted by its first units. The Vampires were not popular with Mexican fighter pilots because of its lack of ejection seats. The FAM finally retired them in 1970.

The Mexican Vampires were initially complemented by 15 Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star subsonic fighter aircraft received also in late 1961. Because of its more modern design, an ejection seat system and several other attributes, the T-33 was well liked by most FAM pilots and became a huge success as a patrol and interceptor aircraft. During the seventies and early eighties an additional 20 or more T-33s were procured by the FAM to replace aircraft lost in accidents and to increase the size of the fleet after the retirement of the Vampires.

In 1982, the FAM received 12 Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II jets (10 F-5Es and 2 F-5Fs). The F-5 gave Mexico its first supersonic platform and saw the formation of Air Squadron 401. Since the 1980s the F-5 became the main Mexican fighter jet while the remaining operational T-33s were used for subsonic support and light attack roles.[11]

In 1983 one F-5E was lost in an accident that occurred during a target practice exercise in the state of Chihuahua.

Chiapas conflict edit

 
T-33A of the Mexican Air Force on display at Santa Lucía

On January 1, 1994, the day the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, hundreds of guerrillas from the previously unknown Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) occupied several towns and cities in the southern state of Chiapas.

The FAM was mobilized to support Army units, sending almost every available helicopter to the territory of operations. Units involved included the recently formed 214th and 215th Special Operations Squadrons, equipped with a mix of Bell 212 assault- and MD.530F scout helicopters. Up to 40 helicopters were deployed to support an initial deployment of 10,000 ground troops.

Bell 212s were armed in two configurations: for fire support with twin MAG 7.62-mm gun pods and cabin-mounted GPMGs; or as gunship, with LAU-32 70-mm rocket launchers, a twin MAG gun-pod and cabin mounted MAG GPMGs.

Pumas, Bell 205s, 206s and 212s from the 209th were also deployed, however, FAM's helicopter assets were scarce and the Mexican Army had to rely on almost every other government agency's helicopters for general support tasks. Almost any flyable aircraft from the National Attorney's Office (PGR) was also deployed, including Bell 206s and 212s, as well as the Navy's recently acquired Mi-8MTV-1s. Eventually the Army deployed some 70,000 ground troops and air support proved to be insufficient; hence the decision was taken to considerably expand the FAM's helicopter fleet.

By December 1994, FAM had bought additional 12 armed MD.530MG 'Defender' and four UH-60L Blackhawk helicopters,[12] which it grouped into the 216th Special Operations Squadron. This unit was the spearhead of operation "Arco Iris" (Rainbow) to re-take several towns that had fallen under rebel control in January 1994. The new militarized Defenders came armed with M2AC machine-guns and LAU-68A 70-mm rocket launchers. Three additional units were ordered in 1996 and delivered as attrition replacements in March 1998. Black Hawks wore 1191 to 1194 serials and are being used for special operations.

Although the FAM received 18 surplus Bell 206s from the Attorney General's office (PGR) in the mid-1990s, the main need identified by the FAM High Command was for a new fleet of transport helicopters that would allow it to support the Army with an adequate airlift capability.[13]

Recent times edit

 
Mexican Air Force F-5 Tiger II flying near the Popocatépetl Volcano

After more than 30 yearly military parade flights without incidents, an F-5E collided in mid-air with three Lockheed T-33s on the Air-military parade accident on September 16, 1995.[14] All aircraft were lost and a total of 10 deaths occurred. Since then, for safety reasons, military parade flyovers in Mexico have been smaller in participation.

In 2004, the Mexican Air Force recorded a UFO sighting over southern Campeche.

In 2007, after more than 45 years in service, the last operational T-33s were retired. In 2012, the supersonic F-5 fighter jets had their 30th anniversary in Mexican Air Force service.[11][15] Due to high operating costs, lack of parts, and the extreme age of the aircraft, the Mexican Air Force retired all but three F-5s in late 2017.[16] In early 2019, the Mexican Air Force received repaired engines for their F-5 fighters, as part of an effort to return a handful of the aircraft to operational status.[17] In early 2023, restoration work on F-5 airframes has begun with the intention to have a total of at least nine F-5s in active service.

Because of the ongoing Mexican Drug War, increasing importance has been placed on acquiring airborne surveillance platforms, UAVs, light attack aircraft, helicopters and rapid troop transports.[18]

On 21 February 2021, a Learjet 45XR operated by the Mexican Air Force crashed while taking off from El Lencero Airport in Veracruz, killing all six people on board.[19]

Territorial organization edit

Air Force Regions edit

Air Force Regions (Spanish: Región Aérea) are the airspaces over one or more contiguous Zones or federal entities. In each Air Region, the Air Force provides security and defense, and address internal security matters in coordination with other Armed Forces or any federal institution. Each Air Region is composed of Headquarters, Air Force Bases, Air Force Stations, and other organizations. The Air Force divides the country's territory into four regions: Northwestern (Mexicali, Baja California), Northeastern (Chihuahua, Chihuahua), Central (Mexico City) and Southeastern (Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas); each region is commanded by a general.[20] The regional headquarters are in charge of 18 air bases across the country:

 
Mexican Air Force Regions

Air Force Bases edit

Air Force Bases, also called Military Air Bases (Spanish: Base Aérea Militar) (BAM), are operational and administrative entities subordinate to the Air Regions, responsible for the technical and administrative aspects, as well as the coordination of aerial operations within the Air Regions. They comprise flight units and service organizations, overseeing the airspace assigned by the Air Force Command. The primary purpose of Air Bases is to conduct and support military aerial operations, ensuring the security and defense of the designated airspace, and contributing to internal security in accordance with directives from the Zone, Air Region, Air Force Command, and Ministry of Defense. The Mexican Air Force comprises 18 Air Force Bases, each associated with a specific Air Region in the country. Components of Air Bases include Headquarters, Flight Units, Technical Services of the Air Force, and Technical and Administrative Services.[21]

Air Group Unit Aircraft Notes
Air Force Base No. 1Zumpango, Estado de Mexico – Central Air Region
1st Air Group 101 Air Squadron Bell 412, Eurocopter EC725, UH-60 Black Hawk Mexico received two of the twelve EC-725; the first two are assigned to the 101 Air Squadron.[22]
112 Air Squadron Bell 212, MD 530MG
3rd Air Group 301 Air Squadron C-295, IAI 101B/102/201
302 Air Squadron C-27J Spartan, C-130 Hercules
303 Air Squadron Mi-8T/MTV-1
Aerial Surveillance Squadron C-26 Metroliner, R/P-99, SA2-37B
VIP Transport Squadron Boeing 757, Super Puma
Air Force Base No. 2Ixtepec, Oaxaca – Southeast Air Region
1st Air Group 401 Air Squadron F-5E/F [23]
402 Air Squadron PC-7
Air Force Base No. 3Ensenada, Baja California – Northwest Air Region
5th Air Group 106 Air Squadron Cessna 182, Cessna 206
Air Force Base No. 4Cozumel, Quintana Roo – Southeast Air Region
2nd Air Group 201 Air Squadron T-6C+ [24]
Air Force Base No. 5Zapopan, Jalisco – Central Air Region
5th Air Group 105 Air Squadron Cessna 182, Cessna 206
111 Air Squadron Bell 206, Bell 212
Air Force Academy Preparatory Squadron Beech F33C
Primary Squadron Aermacchi SF.260
Advanced Squadron Pilatus PC-7
Air Force Base No. 6Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas – Southeast Air Region
2nd Air Group 202 Air Squadron PC-7, PC-9M
Air Force Base No. 7Pie de la Cuesta, Guerrero – Air Region
2nd Air Group 204 Air Squadron PC-7
5th Air Group 102 Air Squadron Bell 206, Bell 212
Air Force Base No. 8Mérida, Yucatán – Air Region
5th Air Group 104 Air Squadron Bell 206, Bell 212, CH-53D Yas'ur, Cessna 210
Air Force Base No. 9La Paz, Baja California Sur – Northwest Air Region
2nd Air Group 203 Air Squadron PC-7
Air Force Base No. 10Culiacán, Sinaloa – Northwest Air Region
4th Air Group Maintenance Center Bell 206, Cessna 206
5th Air Group 109 Air Squadron Cessna 182
Air Force Base No. 11Santa Gertrudis, Chihuahua – Northeast Air Region
Air Force Airtactics Military School (EMAATFA) PC-7
Air Force Base No. 12Tijuana, Baja California – Northwest Air Region
no flying units assigned
Air Force Base No. 13Chihuahua, Chihuahua – Northeast Air Region
5th Air Group 110 Air Squadron Cessna 182
Air Force Base No. 14Apodaca, Nuevo León – Northeast Air Region
4th Air Group 102 Air Squadron Bell 206, Bell 212
5th Air Group 108 Air Squadron Cessna 182, Cessna 206
Air Force Base No. 15San Juan Bautista la Raya, Oaxaca – Air Region
5th Air Group 103 Air Squadron Bell 212
Air Force Base No. 16 – Ciudad Pemex, Tabasco – Air Region
no flying units assigned
Air Force Base No. 17 – Comitán, Chiapas – Air Region
no flying units assigned
Air Force Base No. 18Hermosillo, Sonora – Northwest Air Region
3rd Air Group 3rd Aerial Surveillance Squadron C-26 Metroliner, Pilatus PC-6 R/P-99
5th Air Group 107 Air Squadron Cessna 182, Pilatus PC-6
Air Force Base No. 19 - Ciudad de Mexico – Central Air Region
General Coordination of the Presidential Air Transport Unit (CGTAP)
High Command Special Air Transport Unit (UETAAM) Boeing 737, IAI 201, JetStar, King Air, SA 330J, UH-60 Black Hawk

Air Force Stations edit

Air Force Stations, also called Military Air Stations (Spanish: Estación Aérea Militar) (EAM), are command and control units subordinate to Air Regions, designed to support military air operations. Typically situated within civilian airport facilities, these stations serve to direct, coordinate, and provide logistical support for military air operations occurring within, from, or to their installation. These stations are exclusively integrated with service organizations, catering to the requirements of military air operations and addressing their own living and operational necessities. They may have assigned crews and aircraft in support or transit, over which they exert technical, administrative, and disciplinary control for the duration of their stay.[21]

Map of Mexican Air Force facilities edit

class=notpageimage|
Map of Mexican Air Force Facilities
Red = Air Force Base
Green = Air Force Station

Organization edit

Ranks edit

Air Force ranks are the same as in Mexico's Army, with the exception of generals. A national commander under the orders of the Secretary of National Defense is in charge of the Mexican Air Force. The second-in-command is the Air Force Chief of Staff, who supervises a Deputy Chief of Operations and a Deputy Chief of Management.[25]

Officer ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
  Mexican Air Force[26]
                         
General de división General de ala General de grupo Coronel Teniente coronel Mayor Capitan primero Capitán segundo Teniente Subteniente Sargento 1º de cadetes Sargento 2º de cadetes Cabo de cadetes
Other ranks
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
  Mexican Air Force[26]
         
Sargento primero Sargento segundo Cabo Soldado de primera Soldado

Pilot selection and training edit

The FAM offers higher education, middle education, technical training, tactical training and specialized technical training in its various campuses:

Air Force Academy edit

 
Main facade of the Air Force Academy

Since the National School of Aviation was opened in 1915, it took different names over the years until finally, in 1959 it joined the military school of meteorology, mechanics and aviation specialists, forming the leading campus in military aviation education: 'El Colegio del Aire' (Air Force Academy), which since September 9, 1959, has guided the formation of Air Force officers.[27] The Air Force Academy is an all academic institution of the Mexican Air Force and comprises four schools: 'Military Aviation School', 'Maintenance and Supply Military School', 'Air Force Military Specialist School', and the 'Military Troops' Air Force Speciaslist School'.[28]

Military Aviation School (EMA) edit

Admission to the Air Force is through the mechanism of military recruitment that takes place every year at The Ministry of Defense. The FAM currently offers tertiary level studies – highlighting that of Military Pilot, which spans 4 years at the facilities of the Air Force Academy located on the Military Air Base No. 5 in Zapopan, Jalisco.[29]

The subjects taught in pilot training include: tactics of the branches of aviation, general aviation tactics, meteorology, air navigation, air traffic control, radio communications and culture in general, along with approximately 250 hours of flight. During the first year, the training is theoretical. During the second year, Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft are used for flight instruction. During the third the cadets are trained Aermacchi SF260EU for aerobatics, and later on Pilatus PC-7 for advanced flight tactics, including combat. Within each of these stages, the cadets are trained in aerial acrobatics, stage tactical instrument flight, visual flying rules (VFR), radio operations, among others, which increase in complexity as the cadets' training progresses.[30] The first female aviator to graduate as a pilot in the history of FAM, Andrea Cruz, became a cadet at the Military Aviation School in 2007.

Military Air Force Specialist School (EMEFA) edit

Military School of Air Force Specialist offers a comprehensive scholarship lasting three years for officer training meteorologists and flight control, obtaining at the graduate level of lieutenant. His duties are to provide meteorological information and control of military or civil aircraft.[31]

School of the Air Force Specialists (EMEFA) edit

Military School of the Air Forces specialists is an establishment of military education that has as its mission to train sergeants in seconds aviation maintenance, supply lines, electronic aviation and military aviation. The school is located in the St. Lucía military base.[32]

Military School of Maintenance and Supply (EMMA) edit

In this school, officers are trained as aviation maintenance specialists, aviation electronics specialists, weapons and air supply lines.[33]

Recruitment edit

To enter any of the campuses of the Air Force, SEDENA convenes a competitive entrance examination which is held each year. The requirements are:

  • Mexican citizenship and have no other nationality
  • Be the son of Mexican born parents
  • Minimum age of 15 years at December 31 of the year in course
  • Maximum age of 20 years at December 31 of the year in course
  • Have completed high school or equivalent
  • Minimum height of 1.65 m (5’-5”)

In order to be admitted to any school of the Mexican Air Force Academy mentioned above, the applicant should also perform the following tests: physical, medical, cultural, and aviation psychology. In some cases, the psychological aeromedical 2nd level examination may also be required.[34]

Aircraft edit

 
A Eurocopter EC225 at Mexico City International Airport
 
A Bell 412EP of the Mexican Air Force
 
Fuerza Aerea Mexicana C-130

Current inventory edit

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Pilatus PC-7 Switzerland light attack 63[35] 30 used for training
Northrop F-5 United States fighter F-5E 4[35] one used for training
AWACS
Embraer E-99 Brazil AEW&C 3[35] two used for maritime patrol
Reconnaissance
Beechcraft King Air United States surveillance 350 2[35]
Cessna Citation I United States surveillance 2[35]
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP transport 3[35]
C-27J Spartan Italy utility transport 4[35]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130E/K/L-100 3[35]
Super King Air United States utility transport 90/300 3[35]
CASA C-295 Spain transport / SAR 7[35]
Pilatus PC-6 Switzerland utility / transport 1[35] STOL capable aircraft
Turbo Commander United States transport 2[35]
Helicopters
Bell 206 United States utility 24[35] 9 used for rotorcraft training
Bell 407 United States utility 17[35]
Bell 412 United States utility 10[35]
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1H 1[35]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility Mi-8/17 17[35]
Sikorsky UH-60 United States utility UH-60M 20[35] 7 on order[35]
Eurocopter EC725 France SAR / utility 16 [35] 4 on order[35]
MD 500 Defender United States light utility 530F 13[35]
Trainer Aircraft
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland trainer 1[35]
Grob G 120TP Germany basic trainer 25[35]
T-6 Texan II United States advanced trainer T-6C 56[35]
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 Italy basic trainer 24[35]
UAV
Elbit Hermes 450 Israel surveillance 3[36]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Cambios en Sedena: Defensa 'estrena' subsecretario; Fuerza Aérea tendrá nuevo comandante". ElFinanciero.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Nacional, Secretaría de la Defensa. "La Aviación Militar en la Revolución Mexicana". gob.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Hagedorn, Dan (2008). Conquistadors of the Sky: A History of Aviation in Latin America. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. ISBN 978-0-8130-3249-8.
  4. ^ . Sedena.gob.mx. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  5. ^ "Post-WWII Highlights in Latin American Aviation History". Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies. from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  6. ^ Davila Cornejo, Hector (May 10, 2003). "The Azcarate Corsair". The Latin American Aviation Historical Society. Retrieved March 22, 2009.[dead link]
  7. ^ Davila Cornejo, Hector. (in Spanish). Sistema Informativo Aeronáutico Latinoamericano. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  8. ^ External links to the battle at Jiménez, Chihuahua, in 1929:[1] November 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, . Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2008., . Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2008.
  9. ^ Time magazine. June 6, 1938.
  10. ^ Klemen, L. . The Netherlands East Indies 1941–1942. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Vega, Aurora (September 29, 2012). (in Spanish). Excelsior En Línea. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  12. ^ The Anarchives (December 28, 1995). "Summary of US Military Involvement in Chiapas, Mexico". A-Infos Hyper-Archive. from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  13. ^ Guevara, Inigo (April 13, 2005). "Aztec Rotors - Helicopters of Mexican Air Force". Central and Latin America Database. ACIG. from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
  14. ^ Visión Mx (September 15, 2014), , YouTube, archived from the original on February 19, 2020, retrieved October 9, 2019
  15. ^ Adrián, Jazmín (July 4, 2012). . Demotix. Archived from the original on November 25, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  16. ^ Raúl Rodríguez Cortés (September 16, 2016). "El último vuelo de los F-5". El Universal. from the original on May 6, 2017.
  17. ^ Mariano García (February 12, 2019). "Ruag entrega tres de los seis motores a reparar de los Tiger II mexicanos". Infodefensa.com. from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  18. ^ Jordi Díez; Ian Nicholls (January 2006). (PDF). Strategic Studies Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  19. ^ "Mexican Air Force plane crashes near airport, killing 6". February 21, 2021.
  20. ^ "Regiones Aéreas. Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional".
  21. ^ a b "Bases Aéreas. Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional".
  22. ^ "Refuerzan la flota aérea de Sedena". Noroeste.com.mx. from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  23. ^ "Ruag entrega tres de los seis motores a reparar de los Tiger II mexicanos".
  24. ^ SIPSE, Grupo (November 12, 2016). "Aeronaves del Escuadrón 201 vigilan los litorales de Cozumel". SIPSE.com. from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  25. ^ . May 2, 2007. Archived from the original on May 2, 2007.
  26. ^ a b Secretary of National Defense (June 27, 2019). "Manual gráfico para el uso de Uniformes, Divisas y Equipo del Ejército y F.A.M." [Graphic manual for the use of Uniforms, Badges and Equipment of the Army and Air Force] (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  27. ^ Douglas, Lawrence; Hansen, Taylor (2006). (in Spanish). Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  28. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. 2009. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  29. ^ "FAMV Fuerza Aerea Mexicana Virtual". www.famvirtual.org. from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  30. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. March 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  31. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  32. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  33. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. 2009. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  34. ^ (in Spanish). Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional. 2009. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Garibian, Pablo (August 24, 2010). "Mexico buys drones, may use for marijuana search". Reuters.

Bibliography edit

  • Hagedorn, Daniel P. (September–October 1996). "Talkback". Air Enthusiast (65): 80. ISSN 0143-5450.

External links edit

  • History of the Mexican Air Force.(in Spanish)
  • Planes and helicopters of the Mexican Air Force (in Spanish).
  • [2]

mexican, force, spanish, fuerza, aérea, mexicana, service, branch, mexican, armed, forces, component, mexican, army, depends, national, defense, secretariat, sedena, objective, defend, integrity, independence, sovereignty, mexico, auxiliary, tasks, include, in. The Mexican Air Force FAM Spanish Fuerza Aerea Mexicana is the air service branch of the Mexican Armed Forces It is a component of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat SEDENA The objective of the FAM is to defend the integrity independence and sovereignty of Mexico Its auxiliary tasks include internal security assisting with public works and natural disaster management As of 2023 its commander is Bertin Hernandez Mercado 1 Mexican Air ForceFuerza Aerea MexicanaFounded1913 111 years ago 1913 Country MexicoBranch Mexican ArmyTypeAir forceRoleAerial warfareSize30 517 2024 Part ofMexican Armed ForcesNickname s FAMMotto s Honor Valor y Lealtad Honour Courage and Loyalty Anniversaries10 FebruaryEngagementsMexican Revolution World War II Chiapas revolt Mexican Drug WarWebsitewww wbr sedena wbr gob wbr mx wbr index wbr php id 95CommandersCurrentcommanderBertin Hernandez Mercado 1 InsigniaRoundelFin flashAircraft flownAttackPC 7 PC 9M MD 500 T 6C ElectronicwarfareEmbraer R 99HelicopterMil Mi 8 Mil Mi 17 EC 725 UH 60 MD 500InterceptorNorthrop F 5EReconnaissanceC 90A King Air Sabreliner 75A Fairchild C 26TrainerPC 7 PC 9MTransportC 130 Boeing 787 Boeing 757 IAI Arava Antonov An 32 Contents 1 History 1 1 Mexican Revolution 1 2 Other rebellions 1 3 World War II 1 4 Cold War era 1 5 Chiapas conflict 1 6 Recent times 2 Territorial organization 2 1 Air Force Regions 2 2 Air Force Bases 2 3 Air Force Stations 2 4 Map of Mexican Air Force facilities 3 Organization 3 1 Ranks 3 2 Pilot selection and training 3 2 1 Air Force Academy 3 2 2 Military Aviation School EMA 3 2 3 Military Air Force Specialist School EMEFA 3 2 4 School of the Air Force Specialists EMEFA 3 2 5 Military School of Maintenance and Supply EMMA 3 3 Recruitment 4 Aircraft 4 1 Current inventory 5 See also 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksHistory editMexican Revolution edit nbsp The Curtiss aircraft Sonora was used for observation and bombing Mexico 1913 The foundation of the Mexican airforce was led by five Mexican flight pioneers who were sent to New York by President Francisco Madero to master flying Juan Pablo and Eduardo Aldasoro Alberto and Gustavo Salinas and Horacio Ruiz They returned to Mexico in 1913 not only as founders but also teachers for the next generation of pilots The official predecessor of the Air Force was the Army s Auxiliary Aerial Militia Squadron Escuadrilla Aerea de la Milicia Auxiliar del Ejercito created during the Mexican Revolution in April 1913 by the Secretary of War and Navy General Manuel Mondragon who authorized pilots Miguel Lebrija and Juan Guillermo Villasana es to test out bomb targets on Campo de Balbuena the first airport in Mexico now located in Jardin Balbuena in Mexico City 2 The air force exclusively performed reconnaissance missions until 10 May 1913 when Didier Masson and a Joaquin Bauche Alcalde dropped 15 kilograms of dynamite on rebel boats Although the attack did not cause any damage below it is the first known instance of air to sea bombing Masson also performed leaflet drops also considered the first ever done 3 On February 5 1915 the leader of the Constitutionalist Army Venustiano Carranza founded the Military Aviation Arm Arma de Aviacion Militar which would become the current air force Its first commander was Lt Alberto Salinas Carranza 4 Other rebellions edit nbsp General O Neill Standing with President Obregon When WWI Ace U S Colonel Ralph O Neill was hired to head the restructuring of the Mexican Air Force in 1920 he reported to General Plutarco Elias Calles that most of the aircraft available had to be replaced Until August 1920 the entire fleet consisted of 13 national made prototypes of mixed engine design These were functional yet ill equipped for battle 4 being scout monoplanes 5 others were in repair and over 20 more at the TNCA were obsolete or wrecked beyond repair The branch initially consisted of 27 pilots 17 of which were cadets In anticipation of the new Chief a purchase was made of 13 French Farman F 50 night bombers Commander O Neill soon acquired 35 British made Avro 504K and Avro 504J airplanes which later would be made in Mexico under the name Avro Anahuac 5 O Neill was the first to introduce the term Fuerza Aerea Mexicana FAM naming the organization as such The next step was the formation of classified fighter bombing observation and reconnaissance squadrons as well as the decentralization of Air Force units throughout the country at strategic bases O Neill then set to work with his co instructors German Fritz Bieler and Frenchman Joe Ben Lievre using the first intercom known as the Gosport System invented by Robert Smith Barry in order to give in air commands O Neill not only implemented new combat strategy but also flew many decisive missions From 1923 to 1929 Mexico was immersed in a wave of violent territorial religious and military armed rebellions which required the new Air Force to quickly deploy support wherever the federal army requested them These conflicts were resolved mostly by the assertive use of air superiority alone On December 7 1923 former President Adolfo de la Huerta launched a military coup delahuertista rebellion against the government of President Alvaro Obregon The situation was extremely critical because along with de la Huerta about 60 of the army revolted including various high ranking generals across the country The power tilted back in favor of the federal forces when the United States agreed to furnish the Mexican government with a fleet of new de Havilland DH 4B aircraft equipped with the Liberty motor armed with Lewis and Vickers machine guns and able to carry bombs The military coup was suffocated by February 1924 In 1925 due to the shortage of airplanes caused by World War I Mexico set up the National Aviation Workshops TNCA to design and build its own airplanes and aeroengines nbsp Emilio Carranza A territorial war was that of the Sonora Yaqui Indians who demanded by force that previous territorial treaties were implemented The conflict lasted from 1926 to 1927 and it came to an end when a new treaty was implemented When President Plutarco Elias Calles pushed for the creation of the Mexican Apostolic Catholic Church independent of Rome it unleashed a widespread religious war known as the Cristero War This long civil war lasted from 1926 to 1929 In May 1927 while General Obregon seemed keen to impose the presidency to General Calles General Arnulfo R Gomez launched a military coup against both Obregon and Calles His command posts were located in the cities of Puebla and Veracruz where he led approximately 200 federal deserters ammunition and weapons The air force played a key role in their defeat Then on March 3 1929 a serious military coup took place led by General Jose Gonzalo Escobar and heeded by various other generals In these days the air force s remaining airplanes consisted of worn and shot Bristol F 2 Fighter Bristol Boarhound de Havilland DH 4B and Douglas O 2C a force that was not suitable to defeat Escobar s power 6 7 In this context the Mexican government convinced the U S government to promote the peace south of its border and quickly make available twelve new OU 2M Corsair with the 400 hp Wasp engine nine Douglas O 2M four Stearman C3B and six Waco Taper Wings Only two weeks after making the request the U S government agreed and several Mexican pilots travelled to Brownsville Texas and New York to pick up the new aircraft The key victory was decided in late March 1929 at the Battle of Jimenez Chihuahua where after several days of air raids Escobar was defeated by General Calles taking about 6000 prisoners 8 This rebellion was quite serious since a third of the officials and nearly 30 000 soldiers rebelled in two months more than 2000 men had been killed In May 1938 the Governor of San Luis Potosi General Saturnino Cedillo declared himself in rebellion and President Lazaro Cardenas travelled there to personally mount the campaign against the revolt The Air Force organized a mixed fleet of 17 aircraft that included some new V 99M Corsair engaging the enemy assertively when spotted Cedillo quickly realized he had no chance in open fields against the air force and ran to the Huasteca Hills where his men dispersed abandoning him 9 With the imminent collapse of the Spanish Republic in 1939 the Mexican government took delivery of military aircraft destined for the Republic strengthening its arsenal World War II edit nbsp Mexican P 47D Thunderbolt over the Philippines 1945 The Escuadron 201 a P 47D fighter squadron of the Fuerza Aerea Expedicionaria Mexicana Mexican Expeditionary Air Force served in the Pacific War against the Empire of Japan during World War II It consisted of 25 aircraft and had 300 airmen and supporting staff The 201st Squadron completed 96 combat missions over the Philippines Battle of Luzon and Formosa Taiwan It is the only unit of the Mexican armed forces ever to see overseas combat 10 Cold War era edit The first jet aircraft operated by the Mexican Air Force was the subsonic de Havilland Vampire Mk I Mexico received 17 Vampires during late 1960 and early 1961 This jet was nicknamed The Flying Avocado by Mexican flight crews due to the ovoid shape of its fuselage and the dark green night camouflage adopted by its first units The Vampires were not popular with Mexican fighter pilots because of its lack of ejection seats The FAM finally retired them in 1970 The Mexican Vampires were initially complemented by 15 Lockheed T 33 Shooting Star subsonic fighter aircraft received also in late 1961 Because of its more modern design an ejection seat system and several other attributes the T 33 was well liked by most FAM pilots and became a huge success as a patrol and interceptor aircraft During the seventies and early eighties an additional 20 or more T 33s were procured by the FAM to replace aircraft lost in accidents and to increase the size of the fleet after the retirement of the Vampires In 1982 the FAM received 12 Northrop F 5E F Tiger II jets 10 F 5Es and 2 F 5Fs The F 5 gave Mexico its first supersonic platform and saw the formation of Air Squadron 401 Since the 1980s the F 5 became the main Mexican fighter jet while the remaining operational T 33s were used for subsonic support and light attack roles 11 In 1983 one F 5E was lost in an accident that occurred during a target practice exercise in the state of Chihuahua Chiapas conflict edit nbsp T 33A of the Mexican Air Force on display at Santa Lucia On January 1 1994 the day the North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA came into effect hundreds of guerrillas from the previously unknown Zapatista Army of National Liberation EZLN occupied several towns and cities in the southern state of Chiapas The FAM was mobilized to support Army units sending almost every available helicopter to the territory of operations Units involved included the recently formed 214th and 215th Special Operations Squadrons equipped with a mix of Bell 212 assault and MD 530F scout helicopters Up to 40 helicopters were deployed to support an initial deployment of 10 000 ground troops Bell 212s were armed in two configurations for fire support with twin MAG 7 62 mm gun pods and cabin mounted GPMGs or as gunship with LAU 32 70 mm rocket launchers a twin MAG gun pod and cabin mounted MAG GPMGs Pumas Bell 205s 206s and 212s from the 209th were also deployed however FAM s helicopter assets were scarce and the Mexican Army had to rely on almost every other government agency s helicopters for general support tasks Almost any flyable aircraft from the National Attorney s Office PGR was also deployed including Bell 206s and 212s as well as the Navy s recently acquired Mi 8MTV 1s Eventually the Army deployed some 70 000 ground troops and air support proved to be insufficient hence the decision was taken to considerably expand the FAM s helicopter fleet By December 1994 FAM had bought additional 12 armed MD 530MG Defender and four UH 60L Blackhawk helicopters 12 which it grouped into the 216th Special Operations Squadron This unit was the spearhead of operation Arco Iris Rainbow to re take several towns that had fallen under rebel control in January 1994 The new militarized Defenders came armed with M2AC machine guns and LAU 68A 70 mm rocket launchers Three additional units were ordered in 1996 and delivered as attrition replacements in March 1998 Black Hawks wore 1191 to 1194 serials and are being used for special operations Although the FAM received 18 surplus Bell 206s from the Attorney General s office PGR in the mid 1990s the main need identified by the FAM High Command was for a new fleet of transport helicopters that would allow it to support the Army with an adequate airlift capability 13 Recent times edit nbsp Mexican Air Force F 5 Tiger II flying near the Popocatepetl Volcano After more than 30 yearly military parade flights without incidents an F 5E collided in mid air with three Lockheed T 33s on the Air military parade accident on September 16 1995 14 All aircraft were lost and a total of 10 deaths occurred Since then for safety reasons military parade flyovers in Mexico have been smaller in participation In 2004 the Mexican Air Force recorded a UFO sighting over southern Campeche In 2007 after more than 45 years in service the last operational T 33s were retired In 2012 the supersonic F 5 fighter jets had their 30th anniversary in Mexican Air Force service 11 15 Due to high operating costs lack of parts and the extreme age of the aircraft the Mexican Air Force retired all but three F 5s in late 2017 16 In early 2019 the Mexican Air Force received repaired engines for their F 5 fighters as part of an effort to return a handful of the aircraft to operational status 17 In early 2023 restoration work on F 5 airframes has begun with the intention to have a total of at least nine F 5s in active service Because of the ongoing Mexican Drug War increasing importance has been placed on acquiring airborne surveillance platforms UAVs light attack aircraft helicopters and rapid troop transports 18 On 21 February 2021 a Learjet 45XR operated by the Mexican Air Force crashed while taking off from El Lencero Airport in Veracruz killing all six people on board 19 Territorial organization editAir Force Regions edit Air Force Regions Spanish Region Aerea are the airspaces over one or more contiguous Zones or federal entities In each Air Region the Air Force provides security and defense and address internal security matters in coordination with other Armed Forces or any federal institution Each Air Region is composed of Headquarters Air Force Bases Air Force Stations and other organizations The Air Force divides the country s territory into four regions Northwestern Mexicali Baja California Northeastern Chihuahua Chihuahua Central Mexico City and Southeastern Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas each region is commanded by a general 20 The regional headquarters are in charge of 18 air bases across the country nbsp Mexican Air Force Regions Air Force Bases edit Air Force Bases also called Military Air Bases Spanish Base Aerea Militar BAM are operational and administrative entities subordinate to the Air Regions responsible for the technical and administrative aspects as well as the coordination of aerial operations within the Air Regions They comprise flight units and service organizations overseeing the airspace assigned by the Air Force Command The primary purpose of Air Bases is to conduct and support military aerial operations ensuring the security and defense of the designated airspace and contributing to internal security in accordance with directives from the Zone Air Region Air Force Command and Ministry of Defense The Mexican Air Force comprises 18 Air Force Bases each associated with a specific Air Region in the country Components of Air Bases include Headquarters Flight Units Technical Services of the Air Force and Technical and Administrative Services 21 Air Group Unit Aircraft Notes Air Force Base No 1 Zumpango Estado de Mexico Central Air Region 1st Air Group 101 Air Squadron Bell 412 Eurocopter EC725 UH 60 Black Hawk Mexico received two of the twelve EC 725 the first two are assigned to the 101 Air Squadron 22 112 Air Squadron Bell 212 MD 530MG 3rd Air Group 301 Air Squadron C 295 IAI 101B 102 201 302 Air Squadron C 27J Spartan C 130 Hercules 303 Air Squadron Mi 8T MTV 1 Aerial Surveillance Squadron C 26 Metroliner R P 99 SA2 37B VIP Transport Squadron Boeing 757 Super Puma Air Force Base No 2 Ixtepec Oaxaca Southeast Air Region 1st Air Group 401 Air Squadron F 5E F 23 402 Air Squadron PC 7 Air Force Base No 3 Ensenada Baja California Northwest Air Region 5th Air Group 106 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Cessna 206 Air Force Base No 4 Cozumel Quintana Roo Southeast Air Region 2nd Air Group 201 Air Squadron T 6C 24 Air Force Base No 5 Zapopan Jalisco Central Air Region 5th Air Group 105 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Cessna 206 111 Air Squadron Bell 206 Bell 212 Air Force Academy Preparatory Squadron Beech F33C Primary Squadron Aermacchi SF 260 Advanced Squadron Pilatus PC 7 Air Force Base No 6 Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas Southeast Air Region 2nd Air Group 202 Air Squadron PC 7 PC 9M Air Force Base No 7 Pie de la Cuesta Guerrero Air Region 2nd Air Group 204 Air Squadron PC 7 5th Air Group 102 Air Squadron Bell 206 Bell 212 Air Force Base No 8 Merida Yucatan Air Region 5th Air Group 104 Air Squadron Bell 206 Bell 212 CH 53D Yas ur Cessna 210 Air Force Base No 9 La Paz Baja California Sur Northwest Air Region 2nd Air Group 203 Air Squadron PC 7 Air Force Base No 10 Culiacan Sinaloa Northwest Air Region 4th Air Group Maintenance Center Bell 206 Cessna 206 5th Air Group 109 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Air Force Base No 11 Santa Gertrudis Chihuahua Northeast Air Region Air Force Airtactics Military School EMAATFA PC 7 Air Force Base No 12 Tijuana Baja California Northwest Air Region no flying units assigned Air Force Base No 13 Chihuahua Chihuahua Northeast Air Region 5th Air Group 110 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Air Force Base No 14 Apodaca Nuevo Leon Northeast Air Region 4th Air Group 102 Air Squadron Bell 206 Bell 212 5th Air Group 108 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Cessna 206 Air Force Base No 15 San Juan Bautista la Raya Oaxaca Air Region 5th Air Group 103 Air Squadron Bell 212 Air Force Base No 16 Ciudad Pemex Tabasco Air Region no flying units assigned Air Force Base No 17 Comitan Chiapas Air Region no flying units assigned Air Force Base No 18 Hermosillo Sonora Northwest Air Region 3rd Air Group 3rd Aerial Surveillance Squadron C 26 Metroliner Pilatus PC 6 R P 99 5th Air Group 107 Air Squadron Cessna 182 Pilatus PC 6 Air Force Base No 19 Ciudad de Mexico Central Air Region General Coordination of the Presidential Air Transport Unit CGTAP High Command Special Air Transport Unit UETAAM Boeing 737 IAI 201 JetStar King Air SA 330J UH 60 Black Hawk Air Force Stations edit Air Force Stations also called Military Air Stations Spanish Estacion Aerea Militar EAM are command and control units subordinate to Air Regions designed to support military air operations Typically situated within civilian airport facilities these stations serve to direct coordinate and provide logistical support for military air operations occurring within from or to their installation These stations are exclusively integrated with service organizations catering to the requirements of military air operations and addressing their own living and operational necessities They may have assigned crews and aircraft in support or transit over which they exert technical administrative and disciplinary control for the duration of their stay 21 Air Force Station No 1 Guadalajara International Airport Air Force Station No 2 Guerrero Negro Airport Air Force Station No 3 Torreon International Airport Air Force Station No 4 Tampico International Airport Air Force Station No 5 Military Field No 41 A Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Air Force Station No 6 Military Field No 16 A Irapuato Guanajuato Air Force Station No 7 Minatitlan International Airport Air Force Station No 8 Loma Bonita Oaxaca Air Force Station No 9 Atlangatepec Air Force Station No 10 Tenosique Tabasco Map of Mexican Air Force facilities edit nbsp nbsp Mexico City nbsp Santa Lucia nbsp Chihuahua nbsp Cozumel nbsp Culiacan nbsp Hermosillo nbsp La Paz nbsp Irapuato nbsp Merida nbsp Minatitlan nbsp Oaxaca nbsp Puerto Vallarta nbsp Comitan nbsp Tijuana nbsp Torreon nbsp Teran nbsp Loma Bonita nbsp Ciudad Pemex nbsp Tenosique nbsp Santa Gertrudis nbsp Pie de la Cuesta nbsp Zapopan nbsp El Cipres nbsp Atlangatepec nbsp Guadalajara nbsp Guerrero Negro nbsp Apodaca nbsp Tampico nbsp Ixtepecclass notpageimage Map of Mexican Air Force Facilities Red Air Force Base Green Air Force StationOrganization editRanks edit Air Force ranks are the same as in Mexico s Army with the exception of generals A national commander under the orders of the Secretary of National Defense is in charge of the Mexican Air Force The second in command is the Air Force Chief of Staff who supervises a Deputy Chief of Operations and a Deputy Chief of Management 25 Officer ranks Rank group General flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet nbsp Mexican Air Force 26 vte nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp General de division General de ala General de grupo Coronel Teniente coronel Mayor Capitan primero Capitan segundo Teniente Subteniente Sargento 1º de cadetes Sargento 2º de cadetes Cabo de cadetes Other ranks Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted nbsp Mexican Air Force 26 vte nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Sargento primero Sargento segundo Cabo Soldado de primera Soldado Pilot selection and training edit The FAM offers higher education middle education technical training tactical training and specialized technical training in its various campuses Air Force Academy edit nbsp Main facade of the Air Force Academy Since the National School of Aviation was opened in 1915 it took different names over the years until finally in 1959 it joined the military school of meteorology mechanics and aviation specialists forming the leading campus in military aviation education El Colegio del Aire Air Force Academy which since September 9 1959 has guided the formation of Air Force officers 27 The Air Force Academy is an all academic institution of the Mexican Air Force and comprises four schools Military Aviation School Maintenance and Supply Military School Air Force Military Specialist School and the Military Troops Air Force Speciaslist School 28 Military Aviation School EMA edit Admission to the Air Force is through the mechanism of military recruitment that takes place every year at The Ministry of Defense The FAM currently offers tertiary level studies highlighting that of Military Pilot which spans 4 years at the facilities of the Air Force Academy located on the Military Air Base No 5 in Zapopan Jalisco 29 The subjects taught in pilot training include tactics of the branches of aviation general aviation tactics meteorology air navigation air traffic control radio communications and culture in general along with approximately 250 hours of flight During the first year the training is theoretical During the second year Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft are used for flight instruction During the third the cadets are trained Aermacchi SF260EU for aerobatics and later on Pilatus PC 7 for advanced flight tactics including combat Within each of these stages the cadets are trained in aerial acrobatics stage tactical instrument flight visual flying rules VFR radio operations among others which increase in complexity as the cadets training progresses 30 The first female aviator to graduate as a pilot in the history of FAM Andrea Cruz became a cadet at the Military Aviation School in 2007 Military Air Force Specialist School EMEFA edit Military School of Air Force Specialist offers a comprehensive scholarship lasting three years for officer training meteorologists and flight control obtaining at the graduate level of lieutenant His duties are to provide meteorological information and control of military or civil aircraft 31 School of the Air Force Specialists EMEFA edit Military School of the Air Forces specialists is an establishment of military education that has as its mission to train sergeants in seconds aviation maintenance supply lines electronic aviation and military aviation The school is located in the St Lucia military base 32 Military School of Maintenance and Supply EMMA edit In this school officers are trained as aviation maintenance specialists aviation electronics specialists weapons and air supply lines 33 Recruitment edit To enter any of the campuses of the Air Force SEDENA convenes a competitive entrance examination which is held each year The requirements are Mexican citizenship and have no other nationality Be the son of Mexican born parents Minimum age of 15 years at December 31 of the year in course Maximum age of 20 years at December 31 of the year in course Have completed high school or equivalent Minimum height of 1 65 m 5 5 In order to be admitted to any school of the Mexican Air Force Academy mentioned above the applicant should also perform the following tests physical medical cultural and aviation psychology In some cases the psychological aeromedical 2nd level examination may also be required 34 Aircraft edit nbsp A Eurocopter EC225 at Mexico City International Airport nbsp A Bell 412EP of the Mexican Air Force nbsp Fuerza Aerea Mexicana C 130 Current inventory edit Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes Combat Aircraft Pilatus PC 7 Switzerland light attack 63 35 30 used for training Northrop F 5 United States fighter F 5E 4 35 one used for training AWACS Embraer E 99 Brazil AEW amp C 3 35 two used for maritime patrol Reconnaissance Beechcraft King Air United States surveillance 350 2 35 Cessna Citation I United States surveillance 2 35 Transport Boeing 737 United States VIP transport 3 35 C 27J Spartan Italy utility transport 4 35 C 130 Hercules United States transport C 130E K L 100 3 35 Super King Air United States utility transport 90 300 3 35 CASA C 295 Spain transport SAR 7 35 Pilatus PC 6 Switzerland utility transport 1 35 STOL capable aircraft Turbo Commander United States transport 2 35 Helicopters Bell 206 United States utility 24 35 9 used for rotorcraft training Bell 407 United States utility 17 35 Bell 412 United States utility 10 35 Bell UH 1 United States utility UH 1H 1 35 Mil Mi 17 Russia utility Mi 8 17 17 35 Sikorsky UH 60 United States utility UH 60M 20 35 7 on order 35 Eurocopter EC725 France SAR utility 16 35 4 on order 35 MD 500 Defender United States light utility 530F 13 35 Trainer Aircraft Pilatus PC 9 Switzerland trainer 1 35 Grob G 120TP Germany basic trainer 25 35 T 6 Texan II United States advanced trainer T 6C 56 35 SIAI Marchetti SF 260 Italy basic trainer 24 35 UAV Elbit Hermes 450 Israel surveillance 3 36 See also editMexican Naval AviationReferences edit a b Cambios en Sedena Defensa estrena subsecretario Fuerza Aerea tendra nuevo comandante ElFinanciero com mx in Spanish Retrieved September 4 2023 Nacional Secretaria de la Defensa La Aviacion Militar en la Revolucion Mexicana gob mx in Spanish Retrieved March 11 2023 Hagedorn Dan 2008 Conquistadors of the Sky A History of Aviation in Latin America Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum ISBN 978 0 8130 3249 8 Los Origenes Sedena gob mx Archived from the original on April 26 2012 Retrieved 2012 10 05 Post WWII Highlights in Latin American Aviation History Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies Archived from the original on July 3 2008 Retrieved March 11 2008 Davila Cornejo Hector May 10 2003 The Azcarate Corsair The Latin American Aviation Historical Society Retrieved March 22 2009 dead link Davila Cornejo Hector Los Corsarios Mexicanos in Spanish Sistema Informativo Aeronautico Latinoamericano Archived from the original on March 26 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 External links to the battle at Jimenez Chihuahua in 1929 1 Archived November 17 2007 at the Wayback Machine Historia Chihuahua Archived from the original on May 27 2007 Retrieved March 11 2008 Journal of Big Bend Studies Volume XIV Archived from the original on October 30 2007 Retrieved March 11 2008 Time magazine June 6 1938 Klemen L 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron The Netherlands East Indies 1941 1942 Archived from the original on July 26 2011 Retrieved May 28 2011 a b Vega Aurora September 29 2012 Resguardan aviones F5 el cielo mexicano in Spanish Excelsior En Linea Archived from the original on August 8 2014 Retrieved August 4 2014 The Anarchives December 28 1995 Summary of US Military Involvement in Chiapas Mexico A Infos Hyper Archive Archived from the original on June 8 2011 Retrieved October 5 2012 Guevara Inigo April 13 2005 Aztec Rotors Helicopters of Mexican Air Force Central and Latin America Database ACIG Archived from the original on June 22 2009 Retrieved May 20 2009 Vision Mx September 15 2014 Accidente de la Fuerza Aerea Mexicana Desfile 16 de Septimbre de 1995 YouTube archived from the original on February 19 2020 retrieved October 9 2019 Adrian Jazmin July 4 2012 Squadron 401 of F5 Northrop by Mexican Air Force celebrates 30 years Demotix Archived from the original on November 25 2014 Retrieved July 20 2014 Raul Rodriguez Cortes September 16 2016 El ultimo vuelo de los F 5 El Universal Archived from the original on May 6 2017 Mariano Garcia February 12 2019 Ruag entrega tres de los seis motores a reparar de los Tiger II mexicanos Infodefensa com Archived from the original on March 8 2019 Retrieved March 8 2019 Jordi Diez Ian Nicholls January 2006 The Mexican Armed Forces in Transition PDF Strategic Studies Institute Archived from the original PDF on October 3 2008 Retrieved April 25 2008 Mexican Air Force plane crashes near airport killing 6 February 21 2021 Regiones Aereas Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional a b Bases Aereas Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional Refuerzan la flota aerea de Sedena Noroeste com mx Archived from the original on October 5 2011 Retrieved October 5 2012 Ruag entrega tres de los seis motores a reparar de los Tiger II mexicanos SIPSE Grupo November 12 2016 Aeronaves del Escuadron 201 vigilan los litorales de Cozumel SIPSE com Archived from the original on November 13 2016 Retrieved March 8 2019 Comision de Defensa Nacional Senado de la Republica May 2 2007 Archived from the original on May 2 2007 a b Secretary of National Defense June 27 2019 Manual grafico para el uso de Uniformes Divisas y Equipo del Ejercito y F A M Graphic manual for the use of Uniforms Badges and Equipment of the Army and Air Force PDF in Spanish Retrieved May 22 2021 Douglas Lawrence Hansen Taylor 2006 Los origenes de la Fuerza Aerea Mexicana 1913 1915 in Spanish Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico Archived from the original PDF on March 25 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 Adiestramiento y Capacitacion in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional 2009 Archived from the original on March 22 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 FAMV Fuerza Aerea Mexicana Virtual www famvirtual org Archived from the original on January 9 2016 Retrieved February 27 2013 Escuela Militar de Aviacion in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional March 2009 Archived from the original on April 2 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 Escuela Militar de Especialistas de la Fuerza Aerea in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional 2009 Archived from the original on March 10 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 Escuela Militar de Tropas Especialistas de la Fuerza Aerea in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional 2009 Archived from the original on March 31 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 Escuela Militar de Mantenimiento y Abastecimiento in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional 2009 Archived from the original on March 25 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 Admision 2009 a Planteles Militares in Spanish Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional 2009 Archived from the original on March 19 2009 Retrieved March 22 2009 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Hoyle Craig 2023 World Air Forces 2024 FlightGlobal Retrieved March 7 2024 Garibian Pablo August 24 2010 Mexico buys drones may use for marijuana search Reuters Bibliography editHagedorn Daniel P September October 1996 Talkback Air Enthusiast 65 80 ISSN 0143 5450 External links editHistory of the Mexican Air Force in Spanish Planes and helicopters of the Mexican Air Force in Spanish 2 Ralph O Neal en Mexico Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mexican Air Force amp oldid 1221555216, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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