| Prefectura Naval Argentina (PNA) |
By Erwin van Dijkman
The origins of the aviation branch of the maritime surveillance agency can be traced back to December 1946 when a group of volunteers started flight operations in support of the agencies' tasks. Starting aerial patrols in 1947 the activities were structured by creating an aviation division in 1951. The service continued to operate small aircraft and helicopters until the 1980's when a modernisation took place. Larger and more capable aircraft were acquired, mostly in France to conduct mission up and beyond the 200 mile division line between Argentinean and international waters and along the many rivers and ports.
Patrolling to discover environmental pollution and illegal fishery along the huge coastline necessitated a dispersion of the aerial component. Subsequently, stations were created at Comodoro Rivadavia (in 1990) and Mar del Plata (in 1997) to complement the 'Oficial Principal Balestra' heliport at Buenos Aires' harbour area and the administrative headquarters at San Fernando airport (20 kilometres from B.A.). An institute academy to study the professional use of its aerial elements was formed at the latter base in 1989. Currently the fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are formally divided into a wing each, although the air stations keep a mixture of types. The service was involved in the Malvinas campaign, losing two of its Puma helicopters in the process.
Fixed wing aircraft operated today are five CASA 212 and two PA-28 whereas the helicopter fleet consists of two AS565 Dauphin, six Schweizer 300 and the single surviving SA330. Latest acquisitions are two further SA365 Dauphins obtained second hand in 2002 and 2003.
http://www.prefecturanaval.gov.ar/institucional/castellano/index.htm (official)
http://www.aeromilitaria.com.ar/pna/aob/index.htm (unoffcial)
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| Gendarmeria |
By Erwin van Dijkman
The national security force was officially created on 28 July 1938 and is basically a military organisation. Tasked with national security and border guard duties it resorts under the Ministry of Internal Security in peacetime. During armed conflict it falls under the Ministry of defence and in that capacity the GNA was involved in the Malvinas war. Nowadays they are also involved in peacekeeping operations under United Nations flag, anti-drugs operations, disaster relief and anti-terrorist operations.
The aerial component, the Servicio de Aviacion, was formed on 8 October 1955. Starting with second hand material received from the army in the form of three I-Ae.20 Boyeros. Other types followed in 1960 (a Macchi MB308 and a MH1521 Broussard). The first helicopters arrived in the same decade. These were FH1100 and Bell 47s. Various Cessna models were used also.
The organisation consists of five regional sections spread around the country along with the main operating base at Campo de Mayo, Buenos Aires. The main training and overhaul is done at Campo de Mayo and most sections operate only a couple of aircraft. The last couple for years saw an increase of the GNA fuelled by the war on drugs. Some acquisitions of modern aircraft include new Schweizer 300C, Helibras HB350B Esquilo, Robinson R-44 and Eurocopter EC135 helicopters and SA226T Merlin and Pilatus PC-12 fixed wing aircraft. These types are tailored for aerial surveillance, patrol and support flights for disaster relief, which are the most common tasks performed by the GNA in this era.
Links
http://www.gendarmeria.gov.ar(official)
http://www.gendarme.com.ar/index2.html (official)
http://www.aeromilitaria.com.ar/gna/index.htm (unofficial)
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Photo: Cees-Jan van der Ende
Photo: Cees-Jan van der Ende
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Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA)
FAA Order of Battle