Guatemalan Air Force - History

History

In 1920 a French military aviation mission opened a flying training school. The 'Cuerpo de Aviacion Militar de Guatemala' was established in 1929 and started to expand in 1934. The outbreak of World War II hindered any further expansion until 1942, when Guatemala started to receive lend-lease military assistance. Guatemala signed the Rio Treaty of Inter-American Assistance in 1947. The air force was renamed the Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca (FAG) in 1948. In the 1960s, the strike aircraft and basic interceptor used was the F-51 Mustang, supplied from surplus US stocks. The first jet aircraft to enter service was the Lockheed T-33 trainer. Thirteen Cessna A-37 Dragonfly aircraft were delivered in 1974/1975, a Vietnam proven light attack jet. In 1978 overt U.S. military aid was cutoff due to human rights violations. To circumvent this, Guatemala turned to countries like Argentina, Israel and Switzerland, and the United States continued to supply dual-use aircraft and covertly provided the air-force with millions of dollars in overhauls and spare parts for previously purchased aircraft. From Switzerland, twelve Pilatus PC-7 were acquired in 1979–1980 as training aircraft, subsequently also used in combat during the counter-insurgency. A military coup that brought in a more moderate military Junta to power in 1982, saw the arms embargo lifted in 1983.

At the beginning of the 1970s, there was tension concerning a dispute with the UK over the status of neighboring British Honduras. In 1970, a T-33 overflew Belize City on a photo-reconnaissance mission. In 1971 the FAG forward deployed seven F-51 Mustangs to an airstrip at Tikal, near the frontier. Guatemalan C-47 transport aircraft made parachute drops in daylight near the border area. The British reinforced their garrison, but the diplomatic tension eased, and conflict was averted.

From the 1970s to 1990s, the Guatemalan Air Force was heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations against guerrilla forces. Helicopters were used to support the army, and air strikes launched by A-37 light-attack jets and PC-7 armed trainers. One A-37 was lost in action in 1985.

Although the role of the FAG has been much diminished since the Guatemala Peace Treaty was signed in 1996, they have served the country after natural disasters, most notably after Hurricane Mitch and Hurricane Stan. During those disasters, helicopters were used to rescue stranded people, and cargo planes were used to carry food, water and emergency medical equipment to villages and remote places that had been cut off.