History
The Air Force was first founded long before Latvia was occupied by USSR. On 7 June 1919 an Air Group was formed with three aircraft. In the years to follow many more aircraft were added to the inventory and the Air Group was eventually renamed the Aviation Regiment. The Soviet invasion ended the activities of the Air Force. At that time there were almost 130 aircraft on strength.
The post-Soviet Latvian Air Force was formed on the 24th of February 1992 at Spilve Airport. In August 1994 the airforce moved to an ex-soviet airbase at Lielvārde. In the beginning of the new century two new and more heavy Mi-8MTV Hip helicopters were bought. Both helicopters are fitted with search and rescue equipment, but are also used for transportation of troops, evacuation and support of the Special Forces. In 2004 the Ministry of Defense bought two more Mi-8MTV's at the Russian Ulan Ude helicopter (rework) factory. These two might replace the first two, because of the limited flying time left on the first two examples. One Mi-8MTV is normally at SAR stand-by in Riga, which is closer to the sea than Lielvarde.
In 2004, the Air Force has commenced the modernization of the surface air defense capabilities by signing a contract regarding procurement of RBS-70 missiles.
In 2005, soldiers of the Air Force Air Defense Wing have started the respective training course. One Air Defense Battery will be supplied with the armament; and the personnel training of the Air Defense Wing will be completed by the end of 2007.
It is planned to accommodate all the Air Force units at the Lielvārde military base in the near future. The drafting of a project for construction of the AF Air Operations Center was commenced in 2005.
Read more about this topic: Latvian Air Force
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