Current Title:	Latvijas Zemessardze
Title in English:	Latvian National Guard
Abbreviation:	LZ

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:
23 August 1991		National Guard first formed
1993		Aviation unit established
2000		Aviation unit incorporated into the Air Force

Current Status:
National Guard aviation is now incorporated into the Air Force.

Future Plans:
Not applicable.

National Insignia:
Current --- Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):

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'.

Aircraft Designation System(s):
None - Manufacturers designations used.

Current Aircraft Inventory:
Not applicable.

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

Aircraft NOT Used:
False reports of aircraft on order or in service - none known.

Main Headquarters:
Riga.

Current 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.

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.

Books:

Latvian Military Aviation Bibliography - to be added.

Magazines:

World Air Power Journal No.28 P.30
Air International December 1998
Air Forcss Monthly March 1995

Websites:

Official Latvian National Guard webpage

Scramble: Latvian Air Arms

Airliners.net