Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot Security Forces Command

Last updated:
Operator Profile

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History

Narrative Summary

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus / Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (TRNC/KKTC) has a small security force manned by Turkish Cypriots. It operates independently of the Turkish armed forces based in northern Cyprus. Most of the equipment and training is supplied by the Turkish Army.

The Turkish Cypriot Security Force was established in 1975, not long after the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus. It seems that about ten years later an Air Unit was established with equipment from the Turkish Army. Around the year 2000 this unit upgraded to the latest AS 532 Cougar helicopter.

Key Dates

July 1974    Turkish forces occupy Northern Cyprus
1975   Turkish Cypriot Security Force established
19??   Air Unit established

Current Status

The helicopters of the GKK are fully operational.

Future Plans

No information available.

Markings

National Insignia

The helicopters appear to operate without national insignia, except possibly a TRNC flag on the fin. Service titles appear on the tail boom TURK xxxx??

Aircraft Serial Numbers

No information available on GKK serial numbering. It is possible that Turkish Army serials are retained.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory

Click on aircraft type for more details
Aircraft Type Total
Del'd 		Total
Now 		Still On
Order 		Role
Aerospatiale AS 532 Cougar220Security

All-Time Aircraft Used List

Click on aircraft type for more details
Aircraft Type Quantity Service Entry Retirement Origin
Aerospatiale AS 532 Cougar2?currentTurkish Army
Bell UH-1 Iroquois?19???Turkish Army
Mil Mi-17 'Hip-H'2199??unknown

Aircraft NOT Used

The Cessna 172 reported in EAFD is most likely a civilian aircraft.

Aircraft Losses and Incidents

None known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Security Forces Command, Boğaz, Girne. (Girne is the Turkish name for Kyrenia).

Organisational Structure

The GKK Air Unit has no subsidiary units.

Current Order of Battle

Not applicable.

Historical Orders of Battle

Not applicable.

All-Time Flying Units List

Not applicable.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

The location of the helicopter base is not known. Possible it is in the region of Girne/Kyrenia.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

As above.

More Information

Books

Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170
European Air Forces Directory 2012/13 (Mach III)

Magazines

To be added.

Websites

Official Website
GKK Official Website Translated
wikipedia: Security Forces Command
Facebook page

Any photographs illustrating this air arm would be welcome.

Mil Mi-17 ‘Hip-H’

Last updated:
in Turkish Cypriot Security Force service

History

Two Mi-17 reportedly in use around 1999. The Turkish Army never used this type, only the Jandarmerie, so the possible origin of these helicopters is mysterious. Used for Security duties.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
?     199?  
?     199?  

More Information

References

  • Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170

Other Sources

To be added.

Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Last updated:
in Turkish Cypriot Security Force service

History

Some Bell UH-1 acquired from the Turkish Army in the 1970s. One reference identifies them as “UH-1D” variants, but the Turkish Army only used the AB204, AB205 and UH-1H versions. Used for security duties. Retired when replaced by the AS 532 Cougar.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
?     19??  
?     19??  

More Information

References

  • Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170

Other Sources

To be added.

Aerospatiale AS 532 Cougar

Last updated:
in Turkish Cypriot Security Force service

History

Two AS 532 acquired from the Turkish Army sometime between 1996 and 2005. Used for Security duties. One appears to be dedicated to Search and Rescue duties, and the other to Medical Evacuation.

Individual Details

Serial c/no. Prev. Identity Delivered Fate/Notes
?     ?  
?     ?  

More Information

References

Other Sources

To be added.

Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:
Operator Profile

History

Narrative Summary

Air Force History

Key Dates

Air Force Timeline

Current Status

The Cyprus National Guard Air Wing, or more formally the Cyprus Air Command, currently has two main air bases on the island, including Papandreou AFB in Paphos, and Lakatamia AFB in Nicosia district. The military forces also use both Paphos and Larnaca International Airports on a regular basis. Larnaca is the main headquarters of the Police Air Wing, which shares joint command with the Air Command.

Main roles are patrol, communications, police support, firefighting, search and rescue, coastguard activities and casualty evacuation. Its operations are restricted to the Southern Greek-Cypriot area of the island. Cyprus became responsible for carrying out SAR duties in the area in March 2002.

Future Plans

None known.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

1960-1974
The first CNGAW aircraft carried serial numbers prefixed by the letters ‘CR’ (Cyprus Republic). The prefix ‘D’ was reportedly used for a short time after 1968:

CR1 AB.47J CR2 AB.47J CR3 Do 27Q CR4 ?
CR5 ? D6 Beech C-45 D7 Piper L-21B CR8 Piper Colt

1982-Present
When the CNGAW was reformed in 1982, the aircraft operated with civil registrations eg: 5B-ICV for the Maritime Defender. With the delivery of the Gazelles in 1988, a new military serialling system was introduced. This comprised a three-digit serial number, where the first digit indicates the aircraft type and last two digits identify the individual airframe, eg: 901 for a PC-9.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

All-Time Table of Aircraft Used

Aircraft NOT Used

False Reports of Aircraft in Service

Aircraft Losses and Incidents

None known.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Cypriot National Guard Air Command, Nicosia.

Organisational Structure

The flying element of the Cyprus Air Command currently comprise three squadrons, located at two different air bases.

Current Order of Battle

Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle

Historical Order of Battle for 1964
Historical Order of Battle for 1974
Historical Order of Battle for 1985
Historical Order of Battle for 1990
Historical Order of Battle for 2000

All-Time Flying Units List

Mira Aeroskafon
Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon
449 Mira Antiarmatikon Elikopteron
450 Mira Elikopteron
460 Mira Elikopteron

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

Air bases currently used are Paphos and Lakatamia. The airfield at Paphos is equipped with hardened aircraft shelters and hosts occasional visits from Greek AF F-16s.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

In addition to the bases currently used by the DA, a number of airports and airfields around the country have been used by other Air Forces.
Cyprus Air Bases Listing – to be added.

More Information

Books

Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170

Magazines

World Air Power Journal No.5 p.142
Air Fan October 1995
Air Forces Monthly August 1996
Air Forces Monthly October 2003
Cockpit (Stragiki AE)

Websites

Official Cyprus Army Website
wikipedia: Cyprus Air Forces
Scramble: Cyprus Overview
wikipedia: Cyprus National Guard Air Command

Any photographs illustrating this air arm would be welcome.

National Markings
Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:

This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Cyprus Air Command since its formation:





Main MarkingFin Flash

1960-1974
Apart from the serial number, no other markings were carried by CNGAW aircraft during the first period of its existence.



Main MarkingFin Flash

1982-1996
When the CNGAW restarted flying, the aircraft and helicopters were marked with the national flag in the fin. No service titles were carried.


  
Main MarkingFin Flash

1996-present
Greek national marking roundels were adopted in 1996. The main marking is displayed on the fuselage sides of the helicopters, and in the standard six positions on aircraft. The national flag is carried as a fin flash. Aircraft do not carry service titles.

Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon
Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:

History

The Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon (Helicopter and Aircraft Squadron) was the operational unit of the CNGAW between 1982 and 2002. It operated all the aircraft and helicopters in the inventory. In May 2002 it was split into two separate units: 449 Mira Antiarmatikon Elikopteron and 450 Mira Elikopteron.

Subordinate Units

None

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
BN-2 Islander 1 1982 – May 2002 5B-ICV
Piper PA-22 Colt 1 1982 – 198? –
Pilatus PC-9 2 1989 – May 2002 901, 902
Mi-26 Halo 1 Nov 2001 – May 2002 RF-02675


Unit Markings

 
 


Main Bases

Base Duration
Larnaca & Limassol 1982 – 1996
Lakatamia 1996 – May 2002


Photographs

None currently available.

More Information

References

  • Air Forces Monthly October 2003 p.56-57

Other Sources

To be added.

Mira Aeroskafon
Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:

History

The first flying unit of the CNGAW was established in June 1964. It is not clear what aircraft type the unit operated upon its creation. The Mira Aeroskafon (Aircraft Squadron) operated all the aircraft in the inventory. After the Turkish invasion in 1974 it was disbanded.

Subordinate Units

None

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
Dornier Do 27Q 1 1971 – 1974 CR3
Piper PA-22 Colt 2 1973 – 1974 CR8
Beech C-45 1 1968? – 1974 CR2
IAI Arava 201 3 1985 – 2008 P2-021, P2-023
Bell UH-1H Iroquois 5 1989 – 1998 P2-0401, P2-0405
CASA CN235M 2 1991 – 1998 P2-0501, P2-0502


Unit Markings

 
 


Main Bases

Base Duration
Nicosia IAP? June 1964 – 1974


Photographs

None currently available.

More Information

References

  • Air Forces Monthly October 2003 p.57

Other Sources

To be added.

449 Squadron
Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:

History

449 Mira Antiarmatikon Elikopteron (Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadron) was formerly part of Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon, before it was split into two in May 2002. The unit comprises two platoons, operating the Gazelle and Bell 206L respectively.

Subordinate Units

1st Platoon
2nd Platoon

1st Platoon
Anti-tank unit.

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
SA 342L Gazelle 6 May 2002 – Present 351, 354


2nd Platoon
Transport unit.

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
Bell 206L 2 May 2002 – Present 111, 112
Bell UH-1H 4 May 2002 – 2005 EΣ-623


Unit Markings

 
 


Main Bases

Base Duration
Lakatamia Air Base May 2002 – Present


Photographs

SA.342L Gazelle.
(photo: Cyprus Air Force)


More Information

References

  • European Air Forces Directory 2012/13 (Mach III Publishing)
  • Air Forces Monthly October 2003 p.56-57

Other Sources

To be added.

450 Squadron
Cyprus Air Command

Last updated:

History

450 Mira Elikopteron (Helicopter Squadron) was formerly part of Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon, before it was split into two in May 2002. The unit comprises two platoons, operating the fixed-wing aircraft and Mi-35 Hind respectively.

Subordinate Units

1st Platoon
2nd Platoon

1st Platoon
Patrol & target-tug unit.

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
BN-2 Islander 1 May 2002 – 2012 5B-ICV
Pilatus PC-9 2 May 2002 – Present 901, 902


2nd Platoon
Assault transport unit.

Aircraft

Type Qty Service Example Serials
Mil Mi-35P Hind 12 May 2002 – Present 812, 813
Mi-26 Halo 1 May 2002 – Nov 2002 RA-02675


Unit Markings

 
 


Main Bases

Base Duration
Paphos May 2002 – Present


Photographs

Mil Mi-35P Hind.
(photo: Cyprus Air Force)


More Information

References

  • European Air Forces Directory 2012/13 (Mach III Publishing)
  • Air Forces Monthly October 2003 p.56-57

Other Sources

To be added.