Fuerza Aerea Dominicana

  15 February 1948 to present

  Dominican Republic

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TYPE: Air force

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: San Isidro AB, Dominican Republic

FORMER NAME: Nil

FATE: Active

The first attempt at an air force in the Dominican Republic occured in 1932 under president General Leandro Ulloa, who formed the Arma de Aviacion del Ejercito Nacional as part of the Dominican Army. A group of engineers and cadets were sent to an aviation school located in Havana, Cuba to form the basis for the new air branch. Until 1942, only about a dozen aircraft were purchased. During World War II, the Dominican government granted base facilities to the United States and received limited quantities of Lend-Lease military equipment.

In 1947, a group of Dominican Republic exiles from Cuba tried to invade the country. The government wanted to receive large quantities of bombers and fighters aircraft from the United States, but the government blocked these sales and others from Canada. However, agents managed to buy Beaufighters and Mosquitos from the United Kingdom. After signing the Rio Treaty in 1947, the Dominican Republic received large quantities of aircraft, including 25 P-47D Thunderbolts, 30 AT-6 Texan and 4 Commandos from the United States. With this influx of aircraft, the Fuerza Aerea Dominicana became independant from the army on 15 February 1948.

In 1952, 25 Vampires and 32 P-51D Mustangs were bought from Sweden, but similar purchases from Canada and Japan were again blocked by the United States. By 1956 the Fuerza Aerea Dominicana had about 240 aircraft. During the following years, most of the post-war equipment was at the end of its useful life. After the assassination of President Trujillo in 1961, funds for the Air Force decreased and in 1963 the Air Force had only 110 aircraft. During the next 15 years the number of aircraft in the Air Force declined again and only second-line material, such as training aircraft or helicopters, were acquired. In the early 1980's the Fuerza Aerea Dominicana had about 80 aircraft in five operational squadrons with most of the aircraft and helicopters operating out of San Isidro AB in Santo Domingo.

1947 to 1992

The Fuerza Aerea Dominicana received 4 Commandos from the United States as part of the Rio Treaty in 1947. They were assigned to Transport Squadron Pegasus  based at San Isidro AB.

• Curtiss R5C-1 Commando: 3101, 3104
• Other Commandos: 3102, 3103