Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Latvijas Zemessardze |
| English Title: |
| Latvian National Guard |
| Abbreviation: |
| LZ |
| First Established: |
| 1993 |
| ICAO Code: |
| ? |
| Country: |
| Latvia |
| Status: |
| Disbanded |
History
Narrative Summary
The Latvian National Guard was first formed on 23 August 1991, immediately after independence was achieved. It functions in a similar way to the National Guard of the USA, as a reserve military force and emergency relief organisation manned by part-time reservists. An aviation component was introduced in 1993, with a fleet of ex-Soviet DOSAAF light aircraft and gliders. In 2000 the aviation component became part of the Air Force.
Key Dates
| Key Dates: | ||
| 23 August 1991 | National Guard first formed | |
| 1993 | Aviation unit established | |
| 2000 | Aviation unit incorporated into the Air Force | |
Current Status
All National Guard aircraft were transferred to the Air Force in 2000. The National Guard Aviation Unit continues as a pool of reserve personnel for supplementing the Air Force.
Future Plans
Not applicable.
Markings
National Insignia
Aircraft Serial Numbers
Latvian National Guard aircraft carried three digit serial numbers, in the same sequence as the air force, except that the first number is always ‘2’.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable – disbanded in 2000.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Riga.
Organisational Structure
Former National Guard aircraft are now part of the Air Force.
Current Order of Battle
Not applicable.
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
Former National Guard aircraft are now based at Lielvarde.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The main base was at Cesis, with Daugavpils, Rezekne, Limbazi and Riga-Spilves also used.
.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Latvian Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.28 P.30
Air International December 1998
Air Forces Monthly March 1995
Websites
wikipedia: Latvian National Guard
Official Latvian National Guard webpage