Title:

Brief History:

Mexican naval aviation dates back to 1918, when a Mexican built biplane floatplane was successfully flown at the Port of Veracruz. In 1926 a unit of floatplanes was created in name for the Mexican Navy, but without aircraft and personnel.

Between 1927 to 1943 a few aircraft were acquired and a small number of Naval officers trained as naval pilots at the Air Force aviation school.

World War II brought the creation of the Naval aviation school and the establishment of the 1st Naval air squadron with Vought Sikorsky Kingfishers, with Mexican Air Force help. The aircraft had come from the Air Force via lend-lease.

In the post war years, the role of Naval aviation was defined as supporting Naval units, search and rescue, coastal patrols and to help the general population in case of disasters.

In the 1990's the Mexican Navy started to acquire ex-Soviet-bloc aircraft and helicopters. In 1999 the Mexican Navy started a program to built kitplanes and helicopters at Las Bajadas, Veracruz. So far, two airplanes and one helicopter have been built. Also the Aviation workshops has started to arm the Mi-8 helicopters to NATO standards.

At present, the Aviacion de la Armada de Mexico is undergoing a re-organization of its units in the late 1990's, not all the details are know. Some units were to move from one location to another, while others were created and some aircraft roles and duties were changed - for example it is reported that the Beech F-33C is not longer used for training but as a patrol aircraft.

An-32 serial MP-316 (photo, Mr.Dirk Lamarque)	Beech F-33C serial MP-23 (photo, Mr.Dirk Lamarque)

National Markings:

Main Marking		Fin Flash
The Mexican Navy uses a different version of the main insignia, with one or two anchors. A subdued version is used on tactical aircraft. Some aircraft carry the fin flash while others carry the rudder markings. The majority of the aircraft and helicopters carry the letters ARMADA DE MEXICO on both sides of the fuselage, or tail booms if they are helicopters.

Maule MX-7-180 serial ME-103 (photo, Mr.Dirk Lamarque)	MBB Bo-105 serial MR-152 (photo, via Santiago A. Flores)

Main Headquarters:

Aircraft Inventory:

Mi-8MTV-1 serial MR-352 (photo, Mr.Dirk Lamarque)	Valmet L-90TP serial MAT-047 (photo, Santiago A. Flores)

Organisation:

Order of Battle-

Squadron	Type	Base
1er ESCPATMAR	C-212MP, CN-235	BAN Tapachula, Chiapas
2do ESCPATMAR	C-212MP, Lancair, RC695	BAN La Paz, BCS
4tro ESCPATMAR	CN235MPA, Lancair, MX-7-180	BAN Tapachula, Chiapas
1er ESCINTREC	L-90TP	BAN Campeche, Campeche
1er ESCINTREC/Dest	L-90TP	BAN Guaymas, Sonora
1er ESCPAT	MX-7, Lancair	BAN Chetumal, Quitana Roo
1er ESCTRANS	Learjet 25D/31A/60, Dash-8, Mi-17	BAN Mexico D.F.
2do ESCTRANS	An-32B	BAN La Paz, BCS
4tro ESCTRANS	CASA 295M	BAN Tapachula,Chiapas
1er ESCAMET	Mi-17, MD-902	BAN Tampico, Veracruz
2do ESCAMET	Mi-17	BAN La Paz, BCS
3er ESCAMET	Mi-17	BAN Chetumal,Quitana Roo
4tro ESCAMET	Mi-17	BAN Tapachula,Chiapas
1er ESCEMPAT	Panther, Bo-105C, MD-902	BAN Manatitlan-Canticas, Veracruz
2do ESCEMPAT	Bo-105C, MD-902	BAN La Paz, BCS
1er ESCBUS	Mi-2	BAN Salinas Cruz,Oaxaca
2do ESCBUS	Fennec, Mi-2	BAN Lazaro Cardenas
2do ESCBUS/Dest	Fennec, Mi-2	BAN Acapulco, Guerrero
ESCUELA DE AVIACIÓN NAVAL (EAN)		BAN La Paz, Veracruz
TRAINING FIXED WING:
Escuadrón Primario	Zlin 242L	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
Escuadrón Basico	F33C Bonanza	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
Escuadrón Avanzado	Beech 55 Baron	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
TRAINING FIXED WING:
Escuadrón Primario	R-22	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
Escuadrón Basico	R-44	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
Escuadrón Avanzado	R-44	BAN La Paz, Veracruz
Escuela Mecánica de Aviación	Rotorway 162F	BAN Las Bajadas, Veracruz

ESCAMET = Escuadrón de Ala Móvil de Exploración y Transporte

ESCBUS = Escuadrón de Búsqueda y Salvamento

ESCEMPAT = Escuadrón Aeronaval Embarcado de Patrulla Maritima

ESCINTREC = Escuadrón de Intercepción y Reconocimiento

ESCPAT = Escuadrón de Patrulla

ESCPATMAR = Escuadrón de Patrulla Maritima

ESCTRANS = Escuadrón Aeronaval de Transporte

Bibliography:

• Official Mexican Navy Website
• Web page SEDENA
• Air Forces Monthly March 2001