Current Title:	Schweizer Luftwaffe
Title in English:	Swiss Air Force
Abbreviation:	SL?

Narrative Summary:
First formed 31 July 1914 as the Fliegertruppe. During World War I several pilots served with the French Aviation Militaire. On 19 October 1936 the air arm was reorganised, and renamed the Schweizerische Flugwaffe, becoming an autonomous equal status service under the Swiss Federal Military Department. During World War 2, extensive border and neutrality patrols were maintained, to guard against the many incursions from German and Allied air combatants. In the 1946(?) the name Schweizerische Flugwaffe Kommando der Flieger und Fliegerabwehrtruppen (Swiss Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Command), was adopted. In 1996 the name was changed to the present title. Most personnel are reservists.

Key Dates:
1900		Swiss military observation balloon unit created
31 July 1914		Swiss military air arm established (Fliegertruppe)
19 October 1936		Air Force becomes an independent service (Schweizerische Flugwaffe)
1946		First jet aircraft delivered - Vampire F.1
1952		First helicopters received - Hiller 360
1946?		Air Force name changed to Swiss Air Force & Anti-Aircraft Command
1 Jan 1996		Air Force name changed to present title

Current Status:
To be added

Future Plans:
Application of Hornet 21 avionics upgrade to Swiss F/A-18s from 2004.
Obtain more F/A-18s or a new type to allow a dedicated strike force to be established, as the current Hornet fleet is dedicated to air defence duties.
Upgrade 33 F-5 light fighters and order a replacement by 2010.
Replace Alouette III in the utility role from 2006 and in the training role from 2010.
Examine the options for obtaining two C-295 transport aircraft to allow Swiss troops to be deployed overseas.

National Insignia:
Current --- Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):

Up until 1934, Swiss military aircraft were allocated a simple three digit numerical serial number. After this date a letter was added to the serial indicating the aircraft's main role: A = Transport, B = Bomber/Photo Survey, C = Reconnaissance, J = Fighter, U = Trainer, V = Observation/Liaison; eg: Vampire J-1005.

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

Current Aircraft Inventory:
Table of Current Service Aircraft

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

Aircraft NOT Used:
False reports of aircraft on order or in service

Main Headquarters:
Papiermühlstrass 14, 3000 Bern 25.

Current Organisational Structure:
In 'peacetime' the Berufsfliegerkorps (Professional Aviation Corps) and the Kommando Lufttransport (Air Transport Command) are the only full time operational units - called the Einsatz Luftwaffe. The remaining staffeln are reserve units, called up at intervals during the year for deployment to their wartime bases. At other times, refresher and continuation training is carried out at the major bases.

Current Order of Battle:
Table of Current Order of Battle - Peacetime
Table of Current Order of Battle - Wartime Plan

Historical Orders of Battle:
List of Historical Orders of Battle - to be added.

All-Time Flying Units List:
To be added.

Current Air Bases:
The main air bases currently used are Alpnach, Dubendorf, Emmen and Payerne.

All-Time Air Bases Used List:
A number of older air bases have been closed, and there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are designated as wartime bases for use by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing - to be added.

Books:

Swiss Military Aviation Bibliography - to be added.

Magazines:

World Air Power Journal No.5 p.152-156
Air Forces Monthly December 1993

Websites:

Swiss Air Force Photo Feature 1
Swiss Air Force Photo Feature 2

Official Homepage of the Swiss air Force

wikipedia: Swiss Air Force
wikipedia: History of the Swiss Air Force

Scramble: Swiss Air Arms

Swiss Air Force 21st Century

Aircraft Pictures from Switzerland

Airshow Action Foto Gallery: Payerne 2007

PlanePictures.net

Airliners.net

Swiss Air Force at Work in the Alps

Swiss Air Force PC-7 Team

Swiss Mustangs