| Naval Aviation |
By Erwin van Dijkman
History
Comando de Aviación Naval Argentina (COAN)
The history of the naval air arm can be traced back to the early twenties of the previous century when a Sección de Aviación was formed in the first naval region of Porto Belgrano, Bahia Blanca. This was in 1921, only ten years after the formation of the army's military aviation school.
The first units were a patrol unit with six Curtiss F.5L flying boats and the Escuela de Aviación Naval equipped with two Curtiss HS-2L flying boats and fourteen Avro 522 floatplanes. The twenties saw the introduction of various aircraft in small numbers, mostly flying boats used for patrol and training duties until the first fighter aircraft arrived in 1927. This was achieved in 1927 with the transfer of five Dewoitine D.21 aircraft from the Aviación Militár with two more taken up in 1928. Most aircraft in these early years came from Europe, mainly Britain, because the United States were not that influential in Argentina yet (in comparison to many other Latino countries that received many aircraft from the States). Therefore it was not until the mid-thirties before American aircraft started to arrive in numbers. Typical aircraft of that era were Vought Corsairs, Boeing Stearmans and Grumman Ducks among others.
At the start of the Second World War the Servicio de Aviación Naval (renamed as such by 1939) consisted of various training, patrol, transport and attack esquadrillas (flights) dispersed over four bases: Mar del Plata, Punta Indio, Puerto Belgrano, and Ushuaia. San was trying to guard the long coastal line to prevent incursions against Argentina's neutrality. The SAN also deployed floatplanes on board of vessels patrolling the coastal waters, but was hampered in performing these tasks by its ageing material.
The hard felt necessity to re-equip was only to be met after the war when from 1947 onwards a steady stream of American aid resulted in re-equipment of most of its units. Vought F4U Corsairs, Martin PBM-5 Mariner, Grumman Hellcats, Vought Kingfishers, Boeing PT-17, Beech AT-11 and T-6 Texans were obtained and in 1948 the Argentinean Navy became the first South American naval air arm to receive helicopters (six Bell 47D).
Ship borne air assets had always been an aspiration of the naval air arm and in 1958 this ambition came to full fruition when the first carrier was commissioned. The former HMS Warrior was bought from the Royal Navy and renamed ARA Independencia. Capable of carrying the second attack squadron's F4U-5 Corsairs it became the first operational carrier in the South American theatre. 1958 was another important year for Argentina's naval aviation. The arrival of capable Neptune patrol aircraft and the delivery of the first F9F Panther jet aircraft greatly enhanced the range (literally) of operations for the navy.
The next two decades were used to continue the re-equipment and modernisation of the air arm. By the early eighties relatively modern types were operated such as the A-4Q Skyhawk, MB326GB, MB339AA, and Dassault Super Etendard jet aircraft alongside Lynx Mk.23, SA330 Puma, and Sikorsky S-61 helicopters. The successor to the first carrier had arrived in 1969 as well in the shape of the former Royal Netherlands Navy HrMs Karel Doorman named ARA 25 de Mayo in Argentinean naval service. However, this material was no longer solely used for the defence of the country but for offensive actions also. In April 1982 the Malvinas campaign was started entailing the capture of the Falkland Islands controlled by Britain. Although this operation initially succeeded in its aim, the ensuing war led to a defeat and British recapture of the islands capturing and destroying many airframes. The Argentinean navy proved to be capable of striking the British forces as well, the sinking of the HMS Sheffield by Super Etendards using AM39 Exocet missiles is the prime example of this. However, the Argentinean forces as a whole did not succeed in warding of the British power projection that was achieved with great effort on their part (taking into account the long distance to homeland Britain).
The aftermath of the Malvinas conflict brought about political changes. But with a deteriorating economic situation this did not lead to immediate alleviation of the needs of the naval air arm. Acquisitions late last century enhanced the capabilities of the navy somewhat with were AS555 and UH-1H helicopters, Beech 200 Petrel and P-3B Orion patrol aircraft being delivered. Compared to its illustrious history the COAN today is a relatively modest force aimed at defence and upholding of international agreements. The Argentinean navy is very active in various exercises with other South American navies and US Forces. But lacking an aircraft carrier of its own and with no replacement for its main jet fighters imminent, the COAN is no longer in the forefront of Latino naval aviation a status it would deserve to have based on its rich history.
Below you can find an overview of the command structure.
Command Structure |
| Command |
Wing/Base |
| Comando de Instrucción Aeronaval (COIA) |
EAN1 |
| Fuerza Aeronaval No.2 (FA2) |
EAN2
EAN3 |
| Fuerza Aeronaval No.3 (FA3) |
EAN6
Estación Aeronaval Río Grande
Estación Aeronaval Ushuaia
Estación Aeronaval Ezeiza |
Sources
http://www.ara.mil.ar/default.htm (official)
http://www.fuerzasnavales.com (unofficial)
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1307/ANAindex.htm (unofficial)
http://www.aeromilitaria.com.ar/ara/index.htm (unofficial)
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Photo: Cees-Jan van der Ende
Photo: Dino van Doorn
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Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA)
FAA Order of Battle