Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force

Revolutionary Anti-Air Defence and Air Force
Defensa Anti-Aérea y Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria
Cuban Armed Forces emblem
Founded	1959 (1959)
Country	Cuba
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare Aerial defence
Size	8,000 Personnel
Part of	Revolutionary Armed Forces
Nickname(s)	DAAFAR
Commanders
Notable commanders	Major General Pedro Mendiondo Gómez
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
Fighter	MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29
Attack helicopter	Mil Mi-24
Trainer	Aero L-39
Transport	Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17, An-24

The Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force (Spanish: Defensa Anti-Aérea y Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria) commonly abbreviated to DAAFAR in both Spanish and English, is the air force of Cuba.

History

Background

The Cuban Army Air Force was the air force of Cuba that existed prior to 1959.

Early years under Castro

Main article: Bay of Pigs Invasion

When the Cuban Revolution overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista at the end of 1958, the new government led by Fidel Castro inherited most of the aircraft and equipment of the old regime, which was supplemented by the aircraft of the revolutionaries own Fueza Aérea Rebelde, to form the new Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR). Arrests of many of the personnel (including 40 pilots) of the old air force meant that the FAR was short of manpower to operate its aircraft, while lack of spare parts further reduced operational efficiency and a US-inspired arms embargo restricted efforts to acquire replacement aircraft.

In April 1961, CIA-backed Cuban exiles attempted an invasion of Cuba with the aim of overthrowing Castro's government. The invasion was preceded on 17 April by air attacks on Cuban airfields in an attempt to destroy the FAR prior to the invasion, with several FAR aircraft being destroyed. The remaining operational aircraft were deployed against the Cuban exiles landings on 19 April, sinking one transport, the Rio Escondido and badly damaging another, the Houston, which was beached, resulting in the loss of most of the invader's supplies.

In 1969, the inadequacy of the radar coverage to the south of the United States were dramatically illustrated when a Cuban Air Force MiG-17 went undetected before it landed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida and two years later, an Antonov An-24 similarly arrived unannounced at New Orleans International Airport.

Later years

Cuban MiG-21MF from the 1970s

In the 1980s, Cuba with the help of the Soviet Union was able to project power abroad, using its air force, especially in Africa. During that time Cuba sent jet fighters and transports for deployment in conflict zones such as Angola and Ethiopia.

In 1990, Cuba's Air Force was the best equipped in Latin America. During this time, the Cuban Air Force imported approximately 230 fixed-wing aircraft. Although there is no exact figure available, Western analysts estimate that at least 130 (with only 25 operational) of these planes are still in service spread out among the thirteen military airbases on the island.In the late 1980s, Cuba implemented a plan to acquire 45 MiG-29 Falcrum, including trainer versions, from the Soviet Union. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, this plan came to an end with only 12 MiG-29 (9.12B) fighter aircraft and two MiG-29UB (9.51) trainer aircraft being delivered. [2].

In 1996, fighters from the DAAFAR shot down two Cessna aircraft based in Florida which were accused of dropping leaflets into Cuban airspace. The Air Force was criticized for not giving the pilots of the aircraft options other than being shot down. One aircraft escaped.

In 1998, according to the same DIA report mentioned above, the air force had 'fewer than 24 operational MIG fighters; pilot training barely adequate to maintain proficiency; a declining number of fighter sorties, surface-to-air missiles and air-defense artillery to respond to attacking air forces.

Organization

By 2007 the International Institute for Strategic Studies assessed the force as 8,000 strong with 41 combat capable aircraft and a further 189 stored. DAAFAR is divided into three territorial commands known as air zones, in each of which there is a Brigade with several independent Regiments and Squadrons. Each regiment has about 30 aircraft, and squadrons can vary in number, but are usually 12-14 aircraft. DAAFAR's air force, which it maintained until the 1980s, has now declined and its fighting power is now very limited. The fighter aircraft confirmed to be in operation are mainly the MiG-29 and MiG-21, and although the country once operated more than 50 MiG-23s, 3 of which were confirmed to be operational in 2011, they are not currently in operation. [3][4][5]. It is also assessed to have 12 operational transport and training aircraft, including the L-39C and helicopters, mainly Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-17 and Mil Mi-24 Hind. Raul Castro ordered in 2010 that all MiG-29 pilots undergo full training, and they now fly between 200 and 250 hours per year, in addition to actual dogfight training and exercises. Due to this limited training time, MiG-21 units spend more time in simulators and maintain their flying skills in the Air Force's civilian brand Aerogaviota. Up to 20 MiG-23 units, said to exist, also undergo this type of training, but it has not been revealed whether any of the aircraft are already operational, if a unit exists, or how many remain.

At San Antonio de los Baños military air field, south west of Havana, several aircraft are visible using Google Earth.

Air bases

A Cuban Naval Vought OS2U-3

• San Julián Air Base
• San Antonio de los Baños Airfield
• La Coloma Airport
• Santa Clara Air Base
• Cienfuegos Air Base
• Holguín Air Base
• Santiago de Cuba Base
• Playa Baracoa Airbase

Units

• Western Air Zone - 2nd Guards Aviation Brigade "Battle of Girón Beach" (San Antonio de los Baños Airfield)
  • 21st Fighter Regiment, San Antonio (interception and air support)
    • 211st Fighter Squadron
    • 212th Fighter Squadron
  • 22nd Fighter Regiment, Baracoa (interception and air support)
    • 221st Fighter Squadron
    • 222nd Fighter Squadron
    • 223rd Fighter Squadron
  • 23rd Fighter Regiment, San Antonio and San Julián (interception and air support)
    • 231st San Antonio de los Baños Fighter Squadron
    • 232nd San Julián Fighter Squadron
  • 24th Tactical Support Regiment, Guines
    • 241st Fighter Squadron
  • 26th Helicopter Regiment, Ciudad Libertad
    • 261st General Purpose Helicopter Squadron
    • 262nd General Purpose Helicopter Squadron
  • 25th Transport Regiment, San Antonio and José Martí
    • 251st Transport Squadron, Jose Martí Airport
    • 252nd Transportation Squadron, San Antonio de los Baños
• "Comandante Che Guevara" Air Force Academy, San Julián
• Central Air Zone - 1st Guards Brigade "Battle of Santa Clara"
  • 11th Fighter Regiment, Santa Clara (interception and air support)
    • 111th Fighter Squadron
    • 112th Fighter Squadron
  • 12th Fighter Regiment, Sancti Spiritus (interception and air support)
    • 121st Fighter Squadron
    • 122nd Fighter Squadron
  • 14th Tactical Support Regiment, Santa Clara (fighter-bombers)
    • 141st Fighter Squadron
  • 16th Helicopter Regiment, Cienfuegos
    • 162nd Helicopter Squadron
    • 163rd Helicopter Squadron
  • Naval Aviation of the Revolutionary Navy, Cienfuegos
    • 161st Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron
  • 15th Transportation Regiment, Cienfuegos
    • 151st Transport Squadron
• Eastern Air Zone - 3rd Guards Aviation Brigade "Moncada Barracks"
  • 31st Fighter Regiment, Camagüey (interception and air support)
    • 311st Fighter Squadron
    • 312th Fighter Squadron
  • 34th Tactical Support Regiment, Holguín (fighter-bombers)
    • 341st Fighter Squadron
  • 36th Helicopter Regiment, Santiago de Cuba
    • 361st Combat Helicopter Squadron
    • 362nd Helicopter Squadron
    • 363rd Helicopter Squadron
  • 35th Transport Regiment, Santiago de Cuba
    • 351st Transport Squadron

Source:

2nd Guards Aviation Brigade "Girón Beach"

The 2nd Guards "Playa Girón" Aviation Brigade, based in San Antonio de los Baños, is an elite unit of the DAAFAR. The San Antonio de los Baños air base was built at the end of World War II. In 1976, the unit stationed that received the current name of the Playa Girón Guards Aviation Brigade. In April 1961, was responsible for the defense of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Among its notable members was Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez. It is a recipient of the Antonio Maceo Order, which was awarded to it in 2014 on its 55th anniversary. In October 2019, the regiment called for the immediate release of former Brazilian President and leader of the Workers Party, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Aircraft

Cuban MIG-21 fighter aircraft inside VF-45 hangar.

A Cuban Mig-23BN

Current inventory

Reference materials.[6]The number of aircraft used is merely a confirmed number.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Combat aircraft
MiG-21	Soviet Union	Interceptor	MiG-21MF	4	The remaining 56 aircraft are unknown.
MiG-29	Soviet Union	Multirole	MiG-29(9.12B)	2	The remaining 10 aircraft are unknown.
Transport
Antonov An-24	Soviet Union	Transport	An-24	3	The other 17 aircraft may have been resold to civil aviation or scrapped.
Antonov An-26	Soviet Union	Transport	An-26	3	The remaining 27 aircraft were decommissioned (five of which were lost in crashes during missions).
Yakovlev Yak-40	Soviet Union	Transport	Yak-40	3	The remaining five have been retired.
Ilyushin Il-62	Soviet Union	Transport	Il-62M	1	It is primarily used to transport important members of the leadership.
Ilyushin Il-96	Soviet Union	Transport	Il-96-300PU	2	It is primarily used to transport important members of the leadership.
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8	Soviet Union	Utility	Mi-8TBK	2	The remaining 18 are out of service.
Mil Mi-17	Soviet Union	Utility	Mi-17	12	The remaining 16 are out of service.
Mil Mi-24	Russia	Attack	Mi-35	4	The remaining 20 are not in operation.
Trainer aircraft
Aero L-39	Czechoslovakia	Jet trainer	L-39C	5	The whereabouts of the remaining 25 aircraft are unknown.
MiG-21U	soviet union	Jet trainer	MiG-21U、MiG-21UM	7(MiG-21U×1、MiG-21UM×6)	Three other MiG-21Us have been retired.
MiG-29U	soviet union	Jet trainer	MiG-29UB(9.51)	1	Of the two planes acquired, the remaining one was sent to a museum.

List of retired equipment

• 54 MiG-23ML Frogger G air superiority fighters
• 15 MiG-23MF Frogger B air superiority fighters
• 45 MiG-23BN Frogger H fighter-bombers
• 72 MiG-21bis Fishbed N fighter interceptors
• 12 MiG-21PFM Fishbed F fighters
• 44 MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C fighters
• 12 MiG-19P Farmer B all-weather fighters
• 40 MiG-17AS Fresco A fighters
• 60 MiG-17F Fresco C A fighters
• 24 MiG-15bis Fagot fighters
• 12 MiG-15bisR Fagot reconnaissance aircraft
• 36 Il-28 Beagle tactical bombers
• 4 MiG-21R Fishbed H tactical reconnaissance aircraft
• 2 Il-76MD Candid military transport aircraft
• 20 Il-14T Krait military transport aircraft
• 2 An-32 Klein military transport aircraft
• 1 An-30 Crank military transport aircraft
• 50 An-2T Colt light transport aircraft
• 7 MiG-23UM Frogger C trainers
• 2 MiG-23UB Frogger C trainers
• 30 MiG-15UTI Midget trainers
• 12 Yak-18T Max trainers
• 60 Z-326T Trainer trainers
• 15 Z-226 Bahatir trainers
• 9 Z-142 trainers
• 3 Ka-32T Helix C transport helicopters
• 14 Mi-14PL Haze A anti-submarine patrol helicopters
• 20 Mi-8TVK Hip-E transport helicopters
• 20 Mi-8T Hip-C transport helicopters
• 85 Mi-4 Hound A transport helicopters
• 4 Mi-2 Hoplite utility helicopters
• 30 Mi-1M Hare light helicopters
• 8 T-33A Shooting Star trainer aircraft
• 3 WS-55 Series 1 Whirlwind transport helicopters
• 7 Bell 47J Sioux light helicopters
• 6 Bell 47G Sioux light helicopters
• 1 Bell 47H Sioux light helicopter
• 29 F-47D Thunderbolt fighters
• 9 B-26C Invader ground attack aircraft
• 9 B-26B Invader ground attack aircraft
• 9 DHC-2 Beaver light transport aircraft
• 8 C-54A Skymaster military transport aircraft
• 7 PA-20 Pacer liaison aircraft
• 4 PA-22-150 Pacer liaison aircraft (equipped with 30-caliber machine guns and grenades)
• 3 PA-22-160 Pacer liaison aircraft (equipped with 30-caliber machine guns and grenades)
• 2 C-60A Roadster airborne transport aircraft
• 2 Cessna Model 180 Skywagon general-purpose aircraft
• 1 Cessna Model 310 light transport aircraft
• 1 Cessna Model 195 Businessliner general-purpose aircraft
• 1 Cessna Model 182 Skylane general-purpose aircraft
• 1 Cessna Model 175 Skylark general-purpose aircraft
• 1 Cessna Model 120 general-purpose aircraft
• 1 C-82A Packet military transport
• 1 Fairchild F-24W light transport
• 1 Beechcraft Model 18S light transport
• 1 Aero Commander 560 light transport
• 1 UC-64A Norseman light transport
• 1 PA-23 Apache liaison aircraft
• 15 Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighter-bombers
• 10 T-28A Trojan trainers
• 3 F-51D Mustang fighters
• 2 Hawker Sea Fury T.20 trainers
• 2 Ryan Navion utility aircraft
• 2 PA-12 Supercruiser utility aircraft
• 1 Stinson Model 105 Voyager general-purpose aircraft
• 1 Stinson Model 108-3 general-purpose aircraft
• 2 Wako 9 general-purpose aircraft
• 2 Wako 10 general-purpose aircraft

Bibliography

• Hagedorn, Daniel P. (1993). Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-210-6.
• Hagedorn, Daniel P. (September–October 1996). "Talkback". Air Enthusiast (65): 80. ISSN 0143-5450.
• de Quesada, Alejandro (2009). The Bay of Pigs: Cuba 1961. Elite series. Vol. 166. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84603-323-0.
• Reinhard, Martin A. (January–February 2004). "Talkback". Air Enthusiast. No. 109. p. 74. ISSN 0143-5450.