Cuban Army Air Arm
A Cuban Army Air Arm was planned in 1915, but it was not until 1917 that the first aircraft, 6 Curtiss JN-4D trainers, arrived. There do not seem to have been any further acquisitions until 1923, when 6 DH4B bombers and a number of Vought VO-2 AOP aircraft entered service with the Aviation Corps. Most of the aircraft were lost in a hurricane in 1926, leaving the Aviation Corps to rebuild. In 1934, the service was re-organised into ARMY AVIATION and NAVAL AVIATION. By this time it was operating Waco D7 general purpose bi-planes, Bellanca Aircruiser and Howard transports, with Stearman A73 and Curtiss-Wright 19R-2 trainers.
World War 2
Cuba offered bases to the Allies during WW2, and in return received Grumman G21 Goose amphibians, Aeronca L3 AOP aircraft and trainers, including Boeing-Stearman PT-13 and PT-17 Kaydet, and North American T-6 trainers.
After WW2
When Cuba became a member of the Organisation of American States in 1948, further US military aid followed, including North American F51-D Mustang fighters and B-25J Mitchell bombers, and Douglas C-47 transports.
1955, Cuban Army Air Force
In 1955, a re-organisation resulted in the entire air force once again passing into Army control. That year, the first jets Lockheed T-33A trainers, entered service followed later by ex-Royal navy Hawker Sea Fury. Three DHC-2 Beaver transports entered service in 1957, followed by 2 Westland Whirlwind (S-55) helicopters in 1958.
The Revolution
From 1956 till 1959, Cuba endured a revolution involving fierce fighting with Communist forces under Fidel Castro, whose victory in early 1959 saw both a change in government and a political reorientation towards the Soviet Union. The title FUERZA AEREA REVOLUCIONARIA was adopted and Soviet military advisors flowed into Cuba. Later a counter revolution involving US backed Cuban exiles found itself facing the FAR.
Soviet equipment and cheap fuel meant a rapid increase in the size of the air force, although initialy the equipmentprovided was obsolescent, such as Mig-15 fighter bombers. Later Mig-17 and Mig-19 arrived followed by Mig-21 interceptors during the early 1970's. By this time the FAR operated 50 Mig-21, 40 Mig-19, 75 Mig-17 and 20 Mig-15. Transport aircraf were also provided, the total of 50 included An-2 and An-24, as well as Il-14. helicopters included 25 Mi-4 and 30 Mi-1, with 30 Mig 15 UTI and Zlin 226 trainers.
New aiurcraft during the 1980's included Mig-23 and later Mig-29 attack and fighter aircraft, as wel as Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 led to the withdrawal of advisors and the end to the supply of cheap aircraft and most importantly, cheap fuel. The shortage of spares was heaviy aggrevated by Cuba's weak economy.
Present Day
Today the FAR manages to support a low number of annual flying hours. There is debate over the number of unservicable aircraft, but about 25% are believed to be unservicable and the number is rising. Four fighter/ground attack squadrons operate 30 Mig-21F and 50 Mig-21bis, as well as 20 Mig=29/UB and 69 Mig-23M/BN/U. ASW is provided by 14 Mi-14, although only 5 are believed to be operational. There are 36 Mi-8 and 14Mi-17 transport helicopters and 12 Mi-24D attack helicopters. Transport aircraft include 20 An-2, 4 An-24, 20 An-26, as well as 2 An-32 and 2 VIP Yak-40. One An-30 is used for survey work. raining aircraft include 18 Mi-17F, 25 L-39 Albatross, 20 Zlin 326 and 10 Zlin 142.