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Image: DA.gif|Emblem of Air Command. |
Image: DA.gif|Emblem of Air Command. |
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Image: Cyprus_Air_force_449_MAE.gif|Emblem of 449th Antitank Helicopter Squadron. |
Image: Cyprus_Air_force_449_MAE.gif|Emblem of 449th Antitank Helicopter Squadron. |
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Image: Cyprus_450th_MEP.gif|Emblem of 450th Helicopter Squadron. |
:Image: Cyprus_450th_MEP.gif <!--Non-Free file removed by DASHBot-->|Emblem of 450th Helicopter Squadron. |
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Image: KsedCentre.png|Emblem of Search & Rescue Coordination Centre. |
:Image: KsedCentre.png <!--Non-Free file removed by DASHBot-->|Emblem of Search & Rescue Coordination Centre. |
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Revision as of 05:01, 23 May 2010
Air Command of Cyprus Διοίκησης Αεροπορίας Κύπρου | |
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File:DA.gif | |
Active | 12.1963 |
Country | Cyprus |
Branch | Air Force |
Size | 20 Helicopters, 2 Systems of UAVs and 2 Fixed Wing |
Part of | Cypriot National Guard |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Major-General Stylianos Demengas |
Insignia | |
Fin Flash | |
Air Wing Roundel | |
Low visibility Air Wing Roundel |
The Cyprus Air Command (Greek Διοίκησης Αεροπορίας Κύπρου) is the armed air wing of the National Guard. This force doesn't have any combat aircraft, but is equipped with attack and anti-tank helicopters, surface-to-air missile and integrated radar systems, as well as Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Current Air Force Organization
The Cyprus Air Force currently consists of two helicopter squadrons along with a UAV squadron equipped with Elbit Hermes 450 Unmanned aerial vehicles. The Cyprus Air Force also possesses a Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, which is due to equip with its own aircraft. It should be noted that the aircraft of the Cyprus Police are maintained under a separate command structure during peacetime.
- 449th Antitank Helicopter Squadron (Μοίρα Αντιαρματικών Ελικοπτέρων)
- 450th Helicopter Squadron (Μοίρα Ελικοπτέρων)
- Search & Rescue Coordination Centre (Κέντρο Συντονισμού Έρευνας – Διάσωσης)
Air Force Bases and Stations
- Papandreou AFB, Paphos
- The primary air base of the Cyprus Air Force, this base is located adjacent to the Paphos International Airport and is equipped with runway, taxiway, hardened aircraft shelters and integrated command, control and communication facilities. Papandreou AFB also houses a small helicopter overhaul and maintenance facility.
- Lakatamia AFB, Nicosia
- This is the reserve air base of the Cyprus Air Force and is located just south of the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. The base rarely hosts fixed wing aircraft, and simply serves as a staging post for helicopters operating in and out of the Nicosia area.
- Troodos Stations
- The highest mountain in Cyprus hosts a number of radar and air-defence facilities. Their unit designations and deployment status are not of public knowledge.
Note: In an emergency, Cypriot military and paramilitary aircraft can operate from Paphos and Larnaca International Airports, as well as from prepared stretches of motorway that are equipped with landing zones and paved operating areas.
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Emblem of Air Command.Emblem of Air Command.
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Emblem of 449th Antitank Helicopter Squadron.Emblem of 449th Antitank Helicopter Squadron.
Current Air Force Inventory
Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Photo ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Versions ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|In service ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Squadron ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Base ! style="text-align: centre; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |-
| Mi-35||
||
||Attack Helicopter||Mil Mi-35P "Black Panther"||11||450 Sqd 1st detachment||Paphos|| 12 delivered, 1 lost in accident in 2006. Major upgrade planned in 2010 for the addition of night capability and self-defensive systems.
|-
| Gazelle||
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||Anti-tank Helicopter||SA-342L1 Gazelle||4||449 Sqd 1st detachment||Lakatamia|| 6 ordered in 1987, 4 currently active.
|-
| Bell 206||
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||Utility Helicopter||Bell-206L3 Long Ranger||2||449 Sqd 2nd detachment||Lakatamia|| 3 procured in 1990 (2 equipped to carry 75mm rocket pods and 1 as Government VIP version). One aircraft lost in 2002.
|-
| AW139||
||
||Utility Helicopter||AW139||3|| Search and Rescue Coordination Centre|| Paphos||3 aircraft on order from Agusta Westland for the CSAR role. Requested fully night capable with armour. NOTE: Photo is not Cypriot example.
|-
| Pilatus PC-9||
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||Training Aircraft||Pilatus PC-9M||1||450 Sqd 2nd detatchment||Paphos|| 2 procured in 1989 with armaments. 1 lost in accident in 2005.
|-
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||Utility aircraft||BN.2B-21 Maritime Defender||1||450 Sqd 2nd detatchment||Paphos||Procured in 1984 with 12.7mm cannon pods, radar and target towing capability.
|-
| Elbit Hermes 450 ||
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||UAV||Elbit Hermes 450||2 Groups||UAV Sqd||Classified||Procured no later than 2009. Reported to include 2 systems, each with a group of UAVs. Photo is not Cypriot example.