The Cameroon Air Force (french: Armée de l'Air du Cameroun, AdAC) is the
air force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...
of
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
. The Cameroon Air Force, along with the Cameroon Army, the Cameroon Navy (including the Naval Infantry), the National Gendarmerie, and the
Presidential Guard
Presidential Guard may refer to:
*President Guard Regiment (Bangladesh)
*Presidential Guard Regiment (Turkey)
*Presidential Guard (Greece)
*Presidential Guard (Belarus)
*Presidential Guard (South Vietnam)
*President's Own Guard Regiment (Ghana)
* ...
make up the
Cameroonian Armed Forces.
The Cameroon Air Force (Armée de l'Air du Cameroun) theoretically possesses a fairly well balanced force of relatively unsophisticated aircraft, although many of these are now ageing and serviceability levels are likely to be low. Emphasis is placed on transport and utility operations in support of ground forces. Combat capability is modest and restricted to a few armed trainers that can be used for ground attack, COIN and close air support roles. Six Atlas Impala jet trainers purchased from South Africa in 1997 had a lengthy gestation period before becoming operational and did not enter service until late 1998. None of the Impalas are currently in service. Apart from a few ultralight aircraft, these are the most recent additions to the inventory. Cameroon's air arm lacks training aircraft and has also experienced a significant decline in transport assets, most recently involving the 2001 grounding of the remaining three DHC-5D Buffalo aircraft. As with other regional air forces, few aircraft have been procured since the end of the
oil boom
An oil boom is a period of large inflow of income as a result of high global oil prices or large oil production in an economy. Generally, this short period initially brings economic benefits, in terms of increased GDP growth, but might later lead ...
in the early 1980s and the burden is beginning to show on equipment that is now at least two decades old.
Organization
The Cameroon Air Force was established on 1 January 1961 as National Squadron (''Escadrille Nationale''), one year after gaining independence.
[Erwan de Cherisey. ''Siły Powietrzne Kamerunu'' ameroon Air Force "Lotnictwo" 7-8/2017, p. 78-88 (in Polish)] The French supplied the first equipment, which was three
Max Holste MH.1521M Broussard.
[ In 1964 the air force was renamed National Aviation (''Aviation Nationale''), and in 1966 Cameroon Air Force (''Armée de l'Air du Cameroun'').][ Later orders from France included the ]Alouette II
Alouette or alouettes may refer to:
Music and literature
* "Alouette" (song), a French-language children's song
* Alouette, a character in ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar''
Aerospace
* SNCASE Alouette, a utility helicopter developed in France i ...
, Alouette III
Alouette or alouettes may refer to:
Music and literature
* "Alouette" (song), a French-language children's song
* Alouette, a character in ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar''
Aerospace
* SNCASE Alouette, a utility helicopter developed in France i ...
and Gazelle
A gazelle is one of many antelope species in the genus ''Gazella'' . This article also deals with the seven species included in two further genera, ''Eudorcas'' and ''Nanger'', which were formerly considered subgenera of ''Gazella''. A third f ...
helicopters, and Fouga Magister
Fouga (also known as Air Fouga) was a French manufacturing company established by Gaston Fouga at Béziers during 1920. Originally specialising in the repair of railway rolling stock, the firm eventually became most noted for the aircraft it p ...
and Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet
The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced jet trainer co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier Flugzeugwerke of Germany. It was developed specifically to perform trainer and light attack missions, as ...
jet trainers. In 1977 two Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally design ...
entered service. Following that four turboprop de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing ( STOL) utility transport turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou. The aircraft has extraordinary STOL performance and is able to take off ...
s were ordered in 1981. In 1982 three twin turboprop Dornier 128
The type designation Dornier Do 28 comprises two different twin-engine STOL utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier Flugzeugbau GmbH. Most of them served with the German Air Force and ''Marineflieger'' and other air forces around the world in ...
s entered service for the maritime patrol role.
The first combat action of Cameroon Air Force was during an attempt of a coup in April 1984, when the air force remained loyal to president Paul Biya
Paul Biya (born Paul Barthélemy Biya'a bi Mvondo; 13 February 1933) is a Cameroonian politician who has served as the president of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. .[
The air force includes three main aerial bases, in ]Yaoundé
Yaoundé (; , ) is the capital of Cameroon and, with a population of more than 2.8 million, the second-largest city in the country after the port city Douala. It lies in the Centre Region of the nation at an elevation of about 750 metres (2,50 ...
, Douala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital. It is also the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region (Cameroon), Littoral Region. Home to Central Africa's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Ai ...
, and Garoua
Garoua or Garua (Fula: Garwa 𞤺𞤢𞤪𞤱𞤢) is a port city and the capital of the North Region of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. A thriving centre of the textiles and cotton industries, the city has approximately 1,285,000 inhabit ...
( Cameroonian Air Force Base 301). The air force staff is
divided between these three bases, located within each military region. The Yaoundé base is a helicopter and liaison platform; the Douala base is a logistical and tactical transport platform; the Garoua base is an attack and training platform. The first two bases are timeworn. There are no stopping systems, no radio-navigation installations, and no lighting apparatus. No major investment has been made for a long time. The Garoua base is the more modern and the best equipped and "conforms" to NATO standards having been built by the Germans, following an invitation to tender. The PANVR (Pole Aeronautique National a Vocation Regionale) is located on this base. Large aeroplanes can land easily on this base. However, the site is not well maintained.
The Koutaba aerodrome is home to the ''Bataillon des Troupes Aeroportees (BTAP)''.
Finally, the Bamenda aerodrome could become a fourth aerial base, with the stationing of the airborne rifle commandos (fusiliers commando de l’air – BAFUSCO AIR): currently 60 people under the command of a lieutenant colonel assisted by eight officers work at the site. Such a deployment is large by Cameroonian standards.
Currently, the air force has 6 Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced jet trainer co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier Flugzeugwerke of Germany. It was developed specifically to perform trainer and light attack missions, a ...
s (2 are currently inoperable) as attack aircraft; 3 Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally design ...
and 1 Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
The Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport/utility helicopter that was designed and originally produced by the French aerospace manufacturer Sud Aviation. It is capable of carrying up to 20 passengers as well as ...
transport aircraft, 1 Piper PA-23
The Piper PA-23, named Apache and later Aztec, is an American four- to six-seat twin-engined light aircraft aimed at the general-aviation market. The United States Navy and military forces in other countries also used it in small numbers. Origin ...
, 1 Aérospatiale Alouette II
The Aérospatiale Alouette II (, "lark"; company designations SE 313 and SA 318) is a French light helicopter originally manufactured by Sud Aviation and later Aérospatiale. It was the first production helicopter powered by a gas turbine en ...
, 2 Joker 300, 7 Humbert Tétras for training and 2 Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec, plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter progra ...
as observation and liaison aircraft.
The independently operated Presidential aerial squadron has 1 Grumman Gulfstream III
The Gulfstream III, a business jet produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, is an improved variant of the Grumman Gulfstream II.
Design and development
The Gulfstream III was built at Savannah, Georgia, in the United States and was designed as an im ...
, 1 Aérospatiale Dauphin and 1 Aérospatiale Super Puma
The Airbus Helicopters H215 (formerly Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma) is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter developed and initially produced by the French aerospace company Aérospatiale. It has been subsequently manufactu ...
, which are not part of air force equipment. Maintenance of aircraft of this squadron is better than for those of the air force.
Personnel
Training
Basic training for airmen is provided at Koutaba. Non-commissioned officers and officers undergo training at the PANVR, which is also a regional school where pilots from other African countries can train. The purpose of the school is to prepare them for the examination for the French air school (CSEA) in Salon-de-Provence. However, Cameroonian pilot officers also undergo training in other countries such as Morocco and the USA.
Officers
The Cameroon Air Force has the following rank structure:
General officers
*General, ''Général d'armée aérienne''
*Lieutenant General, ''Général de corps d'armée aérienne''
*Major General, ''Général de division aérienne''
*Brigadier General, ''Général de brigade aérienne''
Other officers
*Colonel, ''Colonel''
*Lieutenant Colonel, ''Lieutenant-colonel''
*Major, ''Commandant''
*Captain, ''Capitaine''
*1st Lieutenant, ''Lieutenant''
*2nd Lieutenant, ''Sous-lieutenant''
Non-commissioned officers
*Senior Warrant Officer, ''Adjudant-chef''
*Warrant Officer, ''Adjudant''
*Master Sergeant, ''Sergent-chef''
*Sergeant, ''Sergent''
*Master Corporal, ''Caporal-chef''
*Corporal, ''Caporal''
Airmen
*Private 1st Class, ''Soldat de 1re classe''
Aircraft
Current inventory
Former aircraft
Previous aircraft flown included the CM.170 Magister, Dornier Do 28
The type designation Dornier Do 28 comprises two different twin-engine STOL utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier Flugzeugbau GmbH. Most of them served with the German Air Force and '' Marineflieger'' and other air forces around the world in ...
/ 128 DHC Caribou, Douglas C-47
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota (RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, and SAAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in f ...
, Hawker Siddeley HS 748
The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed and initially produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Avro. It was the last aircraft to be developed by Avro prior to its absorption by Hawker Siddeley.
...
, Max Holste Broussard
The Max Holste MH.1521 Broussard is a 1950s French six-seat utility monoplane designed by Max Holste to meet a French Army requirement.
Design and development
Following the end of the Second World War, Avions Max Holste designed and built a ...
, Piper PA-23
The Piper PA-23, named Apache and later Aztec, is an American four- to six-seat twin-engined light aircraft aimed at the general-aviation market. The United States Navy and military forces in other countries also used it in small numbers. Origin ...
, SA 315B Lama and the Alouette III
Alouette or alouettes may refer to:
Music and literature
* "Alouette" (song), a French-language children's song
* Alouette, a character in ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar''
Aerospace
* SNCASE Alouette, a utility helicopter developed in France i ...
helicopter.
References
*''World Aircraft Information Files''. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 338 Sheet 01
Cameroon-Info.Net: Deux morts dans un crash a Yaoundé
External links
{{Authority control
Military units and formations established in 1961
1961 establishments in Cameroon
Military of Cameroon
Air forces by country
Military aviation in Africa
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