Spanish Air Force

Air Force headquarters

The Spanish Air Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, everything from fighters to transport aircraft and passenger transports to helicopters. It currently maintains some 650 aircraft.[1][dead link] The Spanish Air Force is experiencing a process of great change with the goal to be a quantitatively small army, with a very high quality technical and technological. Today, the Spanish Air Force is a force smaller (almost 50% less) than when I was in service the previous generation of aircraft, with an operating fleet reduced to about 650 aircraft as published in the Budget for 2009 and 27,000 troops, including 10,000 panels, more than 11,000 professional military troops and civilian personnel. The transport force role is taken by planes such as the C-130 Hercules and the CASA C-295. The Spanish Air Force also includes helicopters like the Cougar and the Colibri. 180 fighter aircraft are incorporated into 9 alas (wings) charged with different missions. Finally, the Spanish Air Force has a fleet of aircraft, including the CASA C-101 (manufactured in Spain), Beechcraft Bonanza and Enaer T-35C, to meet training requirements.[2] These air assets are supported by ground units and a sophisticated infrastructure[3]
The "Future backbone" of the Spanish Air Force will be mainly composed of the new generation fighter, the Eurofighter Typhoon.[4]

Swiss Air Force

The history of the Swiss Air Force began in 1914 with the establishment of an ad hoc force consisting of a handful of men in outdated and largely civilian aircraft. It was only in the 1930s that an effective air force was established at great cost, capable of inflicting several embarrassing defeats on the Nazi Luftwaffe in the course of an initially vigorous defence of neutral Swiss airspace. The Swiss Air Force as an autonomous military service was created in October 1936. After World War II it was renamed the Swiss Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Command (Schweizerische Flugwaffe Kommando der Flieger und Fliegerabwehrtruppen) and in 1996 became a separate service independent from the Army, under its present name Schweizer Luftwaffe.
The mission of the Swiss Air Force historically has been to support ground troops (erdkampf) in repelling invasions of neutral Swiss territory, with a secondary mission of defending the sovereignty of Swiss airspace. During World War II this doctrine was severely tested when Switzerland was literally caught in the middle of an air war and subjected to both attacks and intrusions by aircraft of all combatants. Its inability to prevent such violations of its neutrality led for a period to a complete cessation of air intercepts, followed by a practice of coercing small numbers of intruders to submit to internment.[1]
At the end of the 1950s, reflecting both the threat of possible invasion by the Soviet Union and the realities of nuclear warfare, Swiss military doctrine changed to that of a dynamic (mobile) defense that included missions for the Swiss Air Force outside of its territory, in order to defeat standoff attacks and nuclear threats, including the possibility of defensive employment of air-delivered nuclear weapons. However the inability to field an air force of sufficient capability to carry out such missions led to a return of traditional doctrine.[2]
In 1995 the Swiss abandoned traditional doctrine and implemented a defensive plan that made control of Swiss airspace its highest and main priority. Modernization of the Swiss Air Force to achieve this mission was subject to popular referenda challenging its cost and practice.

French Air Force

BA117 Paris, HQ of the French Air Force

The French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA), literally Air Army) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, it is the world’s oldest military air service.The organisation of the ALA is based on having complete control of air operations and on flexibility in execution, both in peacetime and at war. As most modern defence organisations at the moment (2007) the ALA is busy reorganising itself (see Future).
After an absence lasting several decades the French president, Mr Sarkozy, confirmed that France will rejoin NATO integrated command again.Many consider the Armée de l'Air to have been the first professional air force in the world. The French took active interest in developing the air force from 1909 and had the first WWI fighter pilots. During the interwar years, however, particularly in the 1930s, the quality fell when compared with the Luftwaffe, which crushed the French during the Battle of France.
In the post–WWII era, the French made a concerted and successful effort to develop a home grown aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way with unique and effective delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage repeatedly demonstrated its deadly abilities in the Six-Day War and the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular and well-sold aircraft in the history of military aviation along the way. Currently, the French Air Force is expanding and replacing. The French are awaiting the A400M military transport aircraft, which is still in developmental stages, and the integration of the new Rafale multi-role jet fighter, whose first squadron of 20 aircraft became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier.

Turkish Air Force

The Turkish Air Force (Turkish: Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. It is one of the oldest air forces in the world and operates one of the largest combat aircraft fleets of NATO. In its relatively long history, numerous air aces and aviation pioneers have served in the Turkish Air Force, including Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female combat pilot. Supported by the TuAF's long-range in-flight refueling capability, the fighter jets of the Turkish Air Force can participate in international operations and exercises throughout the globe.

The roots of the TuAF date back to June 1909 when the Ottoman Air Force was founded. The Ottoman Air Force participated in the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and the First World War (1914-1918). With the end of the First World War and the occupation of the Ottoman Empire by the Allies in 1919, the Ottoman Air Force was reduced to nothing more than a department. All personnel, including pilots and teachers, were either relieved of duty or disbanded, and all Air Force governmental buildings were closed. Some optimistic Turks tried to build new units in Istanbul, İzmir, Konya, Elazığ and Diyarbakır with planes left over from the First World War and tried to bring together flight personnel, but were unsuccessful.

Romanian Air Force

The Romanian Air Force (Romanian: Forţele Aeriene Române) is the air force branch of the Romanian Armed Forces It has an air force headquarters, an operational command, four air bases and an air defense brigade. Reserve forces include two air bases and three airfields.
As part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, the Romanian Air Force currently controls the Kabul International Airport.
Around 2007, the Romanian Air Force employed 13,250 personnel

The Romanian Air Force modernized 110 MiG 21 LanceRs, in cooperation with Israel between 1993 and 2002. Today, 48 of these MiG 21 LanceRs are operational [1]. The Romanian Air Force also operates C-130 Hercules, An-26s transport planes and IAR-330 Puma helicopters. IAR-330 PUMA SOCAT helicopters have been modernized by the Romanian Aviation Industry in cooperation with Elbit Systems (Israel) for attack missions. The Romanian Air Force also includes native-made IAR-99 Şoim jet planes, in general only used for training of the young pilots. The remaining MiG-29s have been removed from service in 2003.
Due to the old age of the MIGs, the Romanian Air Force will acquire 48 Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab JAS 39 Gripen or F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters planes within 2010-2012. [2]. Seven C-27J Spartan tactical airlift aircraft have been ordered for delivery, all of them will arrive until 2012[3]
The current chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff , since March 2007 (after the discharge of General Gheorghe Catrina[4] ) is General locotenent Constantin Croitoru.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_Air_Force

Swedish Air Force

The Swedish Air Force (Swedish: Flygvapnet) is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.
History
The Swedish Air Force was created on July 1, 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalating international tension during the 1930s the Air Force was reorganized and expanded from four to seven squadrons. When World War II broke out in 1939 further expansion was initiated and this substantial expansion was not finished until the end of the war. Although Sweden never entered the war, a large air force was considered necessary to ward off the threat of invasion and to resist pressure through military threats from the great powers. By 1945 the Swedish Air Force had over 800 combat-ready aircraft, including 15 fighter divisions.
A major problem for the Swedish Air Force during World War Two was the lack of fuel. Sweden was surrounded by countries at war and could not rely on imported oil. Instead domestic oil shales were heated to produce the needed petrol.

Austrian Air Force

The Austrian Air Force is a small but efficient air arm, formed by the Austrian Staatsvertrag signed in May 1955 by the USA, former Soviet Union, Great Britain, France and Austria. This was the premise for the full sovereignty of Austria and therefore the creation of the Armed Forces. There were some restrictions in the Staatsvertrag concerning armed forces. The most important for the Air Force was the so called Raketenverbot, which made it impossible for Austria to have A/G and A/A missiles till the early nineties. The Luftabteilung was created on 13 September 1955. Basic flying training for the Fliegerdivision began in December 1955 using Yak 11 Moose and Yak 18 Max aircraft which were given as a present by the former Soviet-Union. They were delivered in crates by rail in mid November 1955. They were assembled by Austrians with two Russian officers. The first flight with an Austrian roundel took place at 9 December 1955 at 10:01 am. The Yak's were used to train war experienced pilots as instructors. The Yak 18 came later to Linz-Hörsching for formation flying training. The regular training of young pilots started in March 1957 at Zeltweg with the Piper PA-18

The Austrian politicians hoped that the Air Force would receive a large number of aircraft from the USA (without any costs under the MAP), as the army got equipment and weapons. They were wrong. Austria had to buy its first aircraft consisting of PA-18, Zlin 126, Cessna 172/182, Vampire. Magister, Alouette II and S-55. Only Italy donated five Fiat G-46's. Until between 1958 and 1960 Austria purchased under the MAP (Military Assistence Program) 62 aircraft, but with no fighters.

Royal Netherlands Air Force

By Royal Decreet, the Royal Netherlands Air Force ( RNlAF )was installed on the 1st of July 1913. It started with a single leased 'Brik', an updated Farman biplane, one commander and three pilots. They operated from Soesterberg which is still one of the active airbases of the RNlAF. More aircraft arrived and the RNlAF made its start as a professional air force. During the First World War, the Netherlands remained neutral politically and was unable to obtain a large amount of aircraft. However, as lots of foreign planes made an emergency landing on Dutch soil, these aircraft were confiscated and bought. Consequently, at the end of the First World War, the RNlAF had obtained 71 planes, all different types by different manufacturers. With more active aircraft, there was also a need for more airfields. New airbases were build at Gilze-Rijen, Venlo, Vlissingen and at Schiphol.
In the Interbellum, the RNlAF was equipped with aircraft locally built by Dutch manufacturers like Spyker, Koolhoven and Fokker. From 1921 and on, the red-white-blue roundel was introduced, replacing the orange roundel

Polish Air Force

Polish Air Force (Siły Powietrzne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Siły Powietrzne RP - Air Forces of the Polish Republic) is the air force branch of the Polish Armed Forces. Until 1 July 2004 it was officially known as Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej (literally: Air and Air Defence Forces, the name existing from 1990). It consists of 40,000 officers and enlisted personnel, distributed among 22 bases throughout Poland.
From 1 December 1918 to present an insignia of the Polish Air Force aircraft is the white and red checkerboard, in 1993 its order of colours was inverted.
Basic aircraft units in the Polish Air Force were traditionally called eskadra (escadre), bigger units, consisting of several escadres - dywizjon, which could create pułk (regiment) or brygada (brigade). There is some inconsistency with English terminology, because dywizjon is often translated as squadron, which is an equivalent of escadre

Hellenic Air Force

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) (in Greek: Πολεμική Αεροπορία (ΠΑ), Polemikí Aeroporía, literally "Military Aviation") is the air force of Greece. The mission of the Hellenic Air Force is to guard and protect Greek airspace, provide air assistance and support to the Hellenic Army and the Hellenic Navy, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid in Greece and around the world.
During the period of monarchy (1911-1922) & (1935-1974) the force was known as the Royal Hellenic Air Force (HRAF), (Ελληνική Βασιλική Αεροπορία (EBA), Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía).
The motto of the Hellenic Air Force is "Αίεν Υψικρατείν" (Aien Ypsikratein), Always Dominate the Heights, and the HAF ensign represents a flying eagle in front of the Hellenic Air Force roundel. The Hellenic Air Force is one of the three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces.

In 1911 the Greek Government appointed French specialists to form the Hellenic Aviation Service. Six Greek officers were sent to France for training, while the first four "Farman" type aircraft were ordered.All of the six graduated from the Farman school in Etampes near Paris,but only four served subsequently in aviation. The first civiliaa Greek aviator who was given military rank was Emmanouil Argyropoulos, who flew in a Nieuport IV.G. "Alkyon" aircraft, on February 8, 1912.

Georgian Air Force

While Georgia's military has grown since its post-modern independence in 1991, its expansion has primarily been focused on its Army. The Georgian Air Force, approximately 1,000 personnel total in 1995, had grown only to approximately 1,350 personnel by the beginning of 2008. Purchases of additional and newer equipment were small.
The core of Georgia's air force centered on a small number of Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft. Georgia had been home to State Aircraft Factory 31, established in Tblisi in 1970, which manufacturered the Su-25 aircraft after 1984. While the Georgians were quick to assume control of the plant in 1991, it had ceased operations prior to then and much of the equipment removed. While the Georgians eventually assembled some of the aircraft that had been abandoned at the plant, they lacked even appropriate paint, operating them initially in whatever camoflage scheme they had been found in, or without a finish at all. Reports of a small number of Su-17 attack aircraft and Mig-21U fighter aircraft also appear, though these may have also been at Factory 31, unassembled. The Georgians were said to have kept in storage a number of unassembled aircraft found at the plant after independence. By 2001 the Su-17s were listed as still in inventory, but not operational by the International Institute for Strategic Studies' publication The Military Balance. A small number of Mi-8/17 helicopters were also impressed into Georgian service, likely in various states of operational readiness.

Hungarian Air Force

Leonard van den Broek, Four Aces Aviation Photography reports on the Hungarian Airshow 2007, held at Kecskemet Airbase on 11-12 August. Photos by Lucien Blok, Leonard van den Broek and Paul Mali, Four Aces Aviation Photography
Although the weather forecast wasn't very postitive for the day, the Saturday of the seventh Kecskemet Airshow started off quite sunny. Located some fifty miles southeast of Budapest, Kecskemet Air Base is home to the 59th Fighter Wing, Hungarian Air Force. The airshow promised to be a good opportunity to see some new Hungarian Gripens, as well as what's left of the old Soviet-built stuff. Some interesting neighbouring countries had been invited - even

Belgian Air Force

The first Belgian fixed wing aircraft were assigned to the "Compagnie des Ouvries et Aérostiers", a department within the Army which was formed on 31 October 1910. They received their first airplane, a Farman, on 5 May 1911 with the first flight also on this date. When Belgium got involved in the First World War, the military aviation branche consisted of 4 squadrons equipped with different types of Farman aircraft. In march 1915, the Compagnie was renamed as Militair Vliegwezen and had been expanded to 6 squadrons. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War the Militair Vliegwezen had three active Air Force Regiments flying Renards, Fiat CR42, Hurricanes, Gladiators and Fairey Foxes and Battles. During WW II, the Belgian Military Aviation was active as the "Belgische Luchtvaartsektie" within the Royal Air Force.

Portuguese Air Force

The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) (Portuguese: Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar (Army Aviation) and Aviação Naval (Naval Aviation) united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation began to be used in Portugal, later leading to the creation of the Army and Navy's aviation services.
Its Aerobatic display teams are the Asas de Portugal jet aircraft display team and the Rotores de Portugal helicopter display team

Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense (Serbian: Ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана - В и ПВО or Vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana - V i PVO) is the air force of Serbia and the part of Serbian Armed Forces. It consists of an array of combat aircraft, cargo aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, UAV, combat helicopters, cargo/utility helicopters, radars and SAMs.

The Air Force fleet consists of many Russian and indigenous combat aircraft. Today, the Air Force has 32 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s and 5 MiG-29s. Currently, only four MiG-29s which have come back from overhaul, the remainder will return in 2009. Since 2006, when only four MiG-21s were flying due to fuel problems, there are now about ten Mig-21's in active service. The two operational MiG-21UM's are heavily used as two pilots can receive the benefit of the flight. The MiG-29s were purchased in 1987, while the MiG-21Bis aircraft were purchased between 1977 and 1983. The Air Force is looking to replace the aging MiGs with a new multi-role fighter. The former-Yugoslav Air Force had plans to replace MiG-21s with Novi Avion in the 1990s but the wars stopped all projects. All of the MiGs are located at the Batajnica Air Base, as part of 101st Fighter Aviation Squadron (ex 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment).[3]

Myanmar Air Force

The Myanmar Air Force (also known as the Burmese Air Force), officially Tatmadaw Lei, informally the Lei tat is the air component of the Myanmar Armed Forces, the Tatmadaw. It is involved in counter-insurgency campaigns, and after the deadly Cyclone Nargis of May 2008, in relief missions into the Ayeyarwady River delta.

The Myanmar Air Force was formed on January 16, 1947, while Myanmar (also known as Burma) was still under British rule. By 1948, the new air force fleet included 40 Airspeed Oxfords, 16 de Havilland Tiger Moths, 4 Austers and 3 Supermarine Spitfires with a few hundred personnel. The Mingaladon Air Base, the chief air base in the country, was formed on 16 June 1950. No.1 Squadron, Equipment Holding Unit and Air High Command - Burma Air Force, and the Flying Training School, were placed under the jurisdiction of the base. A few months later, on 18 December 1950, No. 2 Squadron was formed with nine Dakotas as a transport squadron. In 1953, the Advanced Flying Unit with De Havilland Vampire Mark T55s was formed under the Mingaladon Air Base and by the end of 1953, The Burmese Air Force had 3 main airbases, at Mingaladon, Hmawbi and Meiktila, in central Myanmar.

The Indonesian Air Force

The Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, on March 8, 1942, initiated the final stage in Indonesia's search for independence. With Japanese support, the popular Ir. Sukarno formed a large militia ready to fight the Dutch on their return after the war. On August 17, 1945, Sukarno ended 350 years of Dutch colonial rule by proclaiming the free REPUBLIK INDONESIA. On April 9, 1946, the fledgling state, at war with the Dutch, formed its own Air Force, named ANGKATAN UDARA REPUBLIK INDONESIA, or AURI. Aircraft used from 1945 until 1950 were mainly of Japanese Army and Navy origin and reclaimed from large dumps all over Java. The AURI order of battle in 1945/46 included some 100 aircraft of many different types, including the Ki51 Guntai , Ki43 Hayabusha , Ki36/55 Cukiu, K5Y1 Curen and Ki79B Nishikoren. No more than 30 to 50 aircraft were ever operational, and they were mostly used for pilot training. Two strong Dutch offensives against the Indonesian Republic in July 1947 and December 1948, completely destroyed the small air arm. Although the Republic was facing a military defeat, international outcry and pressure prevailed, and on December 27, 1949, the Republic of Indonesia gained its sovereignty from The Netherlands.

Royal Norwegian Air Force

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) (Norwegian: Luftforsvaret) is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees (officers, enlisted staff and civilians). Six hundred personnel are also serving their one-year national service in the Air Force. After mobilization the RNoAF would consist of approximately 5,500 personnel.
The infrastructure of the RNoAF includes seven airbases (at Andøya, Bardufoss, Bodø, Gardermoen, Rygge, Sola and Ørland), two control and reporting centres (at Sørreisa and Mågerø) and two training centres (at Kjevik, Kristiansand, and at Persaunet, Trondheim

Spanish Air Force

The Spanish Air Force (Spanish: Ejército del Aire; literally, "Army of the Air") is the air force of Spain. It is one of the 3 branches of the Spanish Armed Forces and has the mission of defending the sovereignty and independence of Spain, its territorial integrity and constitutional freedoms, within airspace of Spain and its territories as well as to maintain the international security in operations of peace and humanitarian help

German Air Force

In a process begun in the mid-1990s now speeded up by the current government , the Luftwaffe ( German Air Force) is currently adopting its equipment-requirements to reflect current and future needs. The Luftwaffe had to adjust its missions to take account of the possibility of involvement in conflict beyond the borders of Europe. The Luftwaffe aims for the capacity to participate in multi-national joint crisis management operations covering the whole spectrum, from humanitarian aid to collective defence. Priority has been given to the purchase of 180 Eurofighters, representing the largest slice of the German MoD's procurement budget. The introduction of the Eurofighter into the Air Force is due to start in the fourth quarter of 2003. The German Eurofighter programme was given a boost with the first flight of the first German series production Eurofighter (IPA 3 Instrumented Production Aircraft) at the EADS facility this year. The first unit to receive the Eurofighter will be Jagdgeschwader 73 at Laage , currently equipped with F-4F Phantoms and Mig-29s. The Phantoms and Mig-29s will be replaced with the Eurofighter over time. The Mig-29s will be handed over to Poland in 2003, and the Phantoms will be be slowly phased out which began in 2002.