|
Ghana Air Force Although Ghana became independent of Britain in 1957, the Ghana Air Force was not founded until 1959, with Israeli and Indian assistance and a gift of Hindustan HT-2 trainers. A Piper Super Cub ws also obtained. RAF personnel were seconded in 1960, when de Havilland Canada Chipmunk trainers were also provided, followed later that year by DHC-2 Beaver light transports. Early plans were to provide a transport and communications force, so DHC-3 Otter and DHC-4 Caribou were also introduced. Soviet attempts to influence Ghana involved the supply of An-12 and Il-18 transports in 1963, with Mi-4 helicopters. These aircraft were returned to the Soviet Union when the Nkrumah dictatorship was overthrown. Eventually, Westland S-55 Whirlwind and then S58 Wesex helicopters were obtained, while during the late 1960's, 6 Aermacchi MB326F armed trainers and Short Skyvan transports were introduced. Ghana has in recent years been active in supporting UN and Organisation of African Unity operations. The emphasis is still on transport and communications, although there is a COIN element using MB339A armed jet trainers obtained during the late 1970's to augment the ageng MB326 fleet. The Ghana Air Force is a small organisation, with 19 combat aircraft, all armed trainers, including 5 MB326K/E, 4 MB339F, 2 L-29 and 12 L-39. There are 2 Fokker F-27-400M troopships with a VIP F-27-600 and a VIP F-28-3000, four refurbished Short Skyvan 3M and 4 Britten-Norman BN-2T Turbine Islander transports. Helicopters include 2 VIP AB412, as well as 2 SA319 Alouette III and 2 A109 for communications. |
Abstracted from and copyright of Jane's Air Forces of the World