Current Title:	Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard
Title in English:	Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard
Abbreviation:

Narrative Summary:
 

The Air Wing of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Coast Guard was formed in February 1966 with a Cessna 337. In early 1973 helicopters were purchased with the intention to operate them from the Camden Heliport/Chaguaramas. This resulted in the division of the Air Wing with the Fixed Wing Flight based at Piarco IAP/Port of Spain, and the helicopter unit based at Camden Heliport/Chaguaramas. The operations of the Rotary Wing Flight were transferred to civilian control in 1976 when it was renamed the Air Division of the Ministry of National Security. In 1977 the Air Wing became a separate branch of the TTDF. The Air Division of the Ministry of National Security became the National Helicopter Services Ltd in 1990 and obtained some Bo-105 helicopters the following year. The Air Wing saw huge expansion in the late nineties with the donation by the United States of two Piper PA-31s and two ex USAF C-26 Metros, the most capable aircraft in the current inventory. The aircraft are mainly operated in anti-narcotic and maritime patrol roles alongside US forces in the Caribbean, patrolling the important sealanes surrounding the nation. The Air Wing was renamed Air Guard and the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago was formed in 2005.

Key Dates:
February 1966		The Air Wing of the TTDFCG was formed.
1973		The Air Wing was divided in the Fixed Wing Flight and Rotary Wing Flight.
1976		Rotary Wing Flight was transferred to civilian control and renamed the Air Division of the Ministry of National Security.
1977		The Air Wing became a separate branch of the TTDF.
1990		The Air Division became the National Helicopter Services Ltd.
2005		The Air Wing was renamed Air Guard and the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago was formed.

 

Current Status:
The Air Force is fully operational.

Future Plans:
No information available.

National Insignia:
Current --- Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):
First serials were allocated to aircraft in 1966. Serials began with number 1 and were used in chronological order as aircraft and helicopters arrived in the Air Force. TTDF was used as a prefix for aircraft and helicopters of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard Air Wing. Today only the serial number is applied on the tailfin of aircraft.

Unit/Base Aircraft Code System(s):
Coding system not used.

Aircraft Designation System(s):
None.

Current Aircraft Inventory:
Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List:
Alphabetical Order --- Chronological Order

Main Headquarters:
Airways Road, Chaguaramas, Trinidad

Current Organisational Structure:
No information about sub-units of the Air Guard available.

Current Order of Battle:
Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle:

Historical Order of Battle (as at 1973)

All-Time Flying Units List:

Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard Air Wing

Current Air Bases:
The Trinidad and Tobago Air Force currently operates one mayor airbase and one heliport.

Military Air Bases Listing

All-Time Air Bases Used List:
Military Air Bases Listing

Books:

None.
 

Magazines:

None.

Websites:

None.