1900 | First Swiss military observation balloon unit created | |
31 July 1914 | Swiss military air arm established (Fliegertruppe) | |
August 1914 | Unable to buy aircraft from neighbouring countries, the Swiss government asks the first eight pilots called up to bring their own aeroplanes | |
1914-1918 | Swiss air arm carries out periodic reconnaissance flights to maintain neutrality | |
19 October 1936 | Air Force becomes an independent service (Schweizerische Flugwaffe) | |
11 September 1937 | First M.S.406H arrives in Thun | |
November 1938 | First Bf 109D delivered | |
September 1939 | Neutrality patrols established by fighter units | November 1939 | First Swiss produced M.S.406H (D3800) accepted. |
10 May 1940 | When France invaded, Swiss air space repeatedly violated by German aircraft. mainly bombers returning from France | |
11 June 1940 | Four Swiss Bf 109s shoot down two He 111s that had crossed the frontier | |
1946 | First jet aircraft delivered – Vampire F.1 | |
1946 | Air Force name changed to Swiss Air Force & Anti-Aircraft Command | |
1948 | Air Force receives the first 25 of 130 Mustangs bought from the USA | |
1952 | First helicopters received – Hiller 360 | |
January 1958 | Swiss Parliament approves order for 100 Hawker Hunter F Mk. 5 | |
June 1961 | Swiss Parliament authorises the purchase of 100 Mirage III from France | |
8 August 1964 | Official aerobatic team the Patrouille Suisse is first formed with 4 Hunters | |
1995 | Aerobatic team Patrouille Suisse switches from Hunter to F-5E Tiger II | |
1 Jan 1996 | Air Force name changed to present title |