Tongan Air Wing
| Tonga Air Wing | |
|---|---|
| File:Tonga Air Force Marking.svg Roundel of the Tongan Air Wing | |
| Active | 4 May 1996 |
| Country | File:Flag of Tonga.svg Tonga |
| Branch | His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga |
| Type | Aviation |
| Role | Aerial reconnaissance Airlift Search and rescue Support to Land and Maritime force's |
| Size | 10 personnel 2 aircraft[1] |
| Part of | His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga |
The Tongan Air Wing is the aerial arm of His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga.
Operations
[edit | edit source]The Air Wing conducts aerial reconnaissance and surveillance of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the provision of airlift, search and rescue, and support to Land and Maritime Force operations.
History
[edit | edit source]Tonga's first attempt to start an air wing happened in 1986, when a Victa Airtourer light aircraft was obtained. However, the aircraft was re-sold soon after.[2] On 4 May 1996, the air wing was created successfully, with Tonga obtaining a Beech 18.[2] In 1999, Tonga obtained a Citabria to assist with training.[2] In 2008, a new aircraft was promised by the Chinese Ambassador to Tonga - Fan Guijin, this aircraft was a Harbin Y-12 and delivered to the Tongan Government and went to the state owned Lulutai Airlines .[3] With the decommissioning of the Beech 18 an agreement was entered into with Lulutai Airlines that if the HMAF urgently required a aircraft for Medical or Search and Rescue tasking they could charter the Harbin Y-12 and it would be flown by the HMAF Pilot's and Tongan Air Wing crews
Aircraft
[edit | edit source]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | ||||||
| Beech 18 | United States | Transport | G18S | 1[2][4] | Decommissioned | |
| Citabria | United States | Transport | 1[2][5] | |||
References
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