Vietnam Air Force
The Vietnam Air Force – VNAF (Vietnamese: Không lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa – KLVNCH) was the Air Force branch of the Republic of Vietnam’s Military Forces, the official military of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) from 1955 to 1975.
The VNAF began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world's sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974. It is an often neglected chapter of the history of the Vietnam War as they operated in the shadow of the world’s largest air war machine. It was dissolved in 1975 after the Fall of Saigon. Many of its members emigrated to the United States.
| Vietnam Air Force Không Quân Việt Nam |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1955–1975 |
| Country | South Vietnam |
| Allegiance | Republic of Vietnam |
| Branch | Air Forces |
| Size | 63,000 personnel (at height) 2,075 aircraft (at height) |
| Garrison/HQ | Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Saigon |
| Nickname | KLVNCH (VNAF in English) |
| Motto | Tổ Quốc - Không Gian (Fatherland - Space) |
| Anniversaries | 1 July - VNAF Day |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Cambodian Civil War Laotian Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Nguyễn Xuân Vinh Nguyễn Cao Kỳ |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin Flash | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | MD 315 Flamant, T-28, A-1, A-37, AC-47, AC-119G/K |
| Bomber | B-57 Canberra |
| Electronic warfare |
EC-47 |
| Fighter | F8F Bearcat, F-5A/B/C/E |
| Patrol | Republic RC-3 Seabee |
| Reconnaissance | RF-5A, MS 500 Criquet, O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster, U-6, U-17 |
| Trainer | Pazmany PL-2, T-6, T-28, T-41, T-37, H-13 |
| Transport | Dassault MD 315 Flamant, C-45, Aero Commander, C-47, DC-6, C-7 Caribou, C-119, C-123, C-130, Alouette II, Alouette III, H-19, UH-1, H-34, CH-47 |
Read more about Vietnam Air Force: History, Analysis, Fall of South Vietnam, Aftermath, Equipment, VNAF Units, Commanders
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—David Hume (1711–1776)