Belize Defence Force
Air Wing
Belize Defence Force
History
The Air Wing of the Belize Defence Force was formed in 1983.
Subordinate Units
None.
Aircraft
Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
---|---|---|---|
Britten-Norman BN-2B Defender | 2 | 1983 – Present | BDF-01, BDF-02 |
Dornier Do-27 | 1 | 1987 – 1990 | BDF-03 |
Cessna 182J | 1 | 1996 – Present | BDF-03 |
Slingsby T-67M-200 Firefly | 1 | 1996 – Present | BDF-04 |
Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander | 1 | 2000 – Present | BDF-05 |
Beech A90 King Air | 1 | 2004 – 2006 | BDF-06 |
Ayres S-2R/T Turbo Trush (DOSAW) | 3 | 1988 – n/a | N3100E, N3100N, N3090M |
Bell UH-1H Iroquois (DOSAW) | 1 | 1990 – 2000 | N81526 |
Cessna 208 Caravan (DOSAW) | 1 | n/a – n/a | N9720F |
Unit Markings
Figure 1 |
---|
To be added |
Main Bases
Base | Duration |
---|---|
Philip S. W. Goldson IAP/Belize City | 1983 – Present |
Photographs
None currently available.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2002/2003 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.
National Markings
Belize Defence Force
This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Belize Defence Force since its formation:
1983-Present
The main marking is displayed in 2 positions on the fuselage and the tailfin. Most aircraft have BDF and the serial number applied on 4 positions (ie above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage).
Air Bases and Airfields
Belize Defence Force
This page gives details of the air base and airfields which are used by the Belize Defence Force. Belmopán and Punta Gorda are secondary airfields, which are used temporarily.
Belize Defence Force
History
Narrative Summary
The Belize Defence Force Air Wing was formed in 1983 and based at Belize City. The main tasks of the Air Wing are reconnaissance, SAR, transport and anti-narcotic. Two BN-2B Defenders were bought in Britain and formed the backbone of the air wing for years. The two aircraft could be equipped with light armament as rocketpods, torpedoes and guns, making them the first armed aircraft in Belizean history. In 1991 the Guatemalan government recognized the self determination of the Belizean people, ten years after it’s independence. This step was followed in 1992 by a declaration of the Guatemalan president of the recognition of the independent state of Belize and the establishment of diplomatic relation between the two countries. After this the RAF Harriers were withdrawn from Belize in 1993 followed by the Puma helicopters in 1994 marking the disbandment of the British Force Belize (BFB). The BDF assumed total defence responsibility on January 1, 1994.
The only British flying unit left in Belize is the Army Air Corps 25 Flight equipped with some Gazelle and Lynx helicopters, based at Price Barracks, Ladyville. During the 1990s the Air Wing was expanded by a Cessna 182 and a Slingsby T67M-260 basic training aircraft, the latter acquired in 1996 in Britain and marking another step towards self-reliance of the Belize Defence Force by training the Air Wing’s own pilots. Tragedy however struck in October 1998, when one of the BN-2B (BDF-01) crashed in a swampy area southeast of Indian Church in the Orange Walk District. Following the significant decrease in capacity, a Britten-Norman Islander was obtained as a replacement aircraft. As with the British, the BDF receives military assistance from the United States, seeing Department of State Air Wing (DOSAW) operated UH-1H helicopters and Ayres S2R defoliant sprayers deployed in the country.
Key Dates
1983 | Belize Defence Force Air Wing was formed. | |
1993 | RAF Harriers were withdrawn from Belize. | |
1 January 1994 | The BDF assumed total defence responsibility. | |
1994 | British Forces Belize was disbanded. | |
October 1998 | BDF-01 crashed. |
Current Status
The Air Wing is fully operational.
Future Plans
No information available.
Markings
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
First serials were allocated to aircraft in 1983. The prefix BDF is used.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports of aircraft on order or in service have been noted.
Organisation
Main Headquarters:
Price Barracks, Ladyville
Organisational Structure
The Air Force is organised into one operational unit.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
None.
All-Time Flying Units List
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The Belizean Air Force currently operates one major airbase and a number of secondary airfields.
Military Air Bases Listing
All-Time Air Bases Used List
More Information
Books
None.
Magazines
World Air Power Journal 32, p.142
Websites
None.
Britten-Norman BN-2B-21 Defender
in Belize Defence Force service
History
Used by the Air Wing.
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BDF-01 | R2137 | G-BJYR | 27.8.1983 | crashed on 19.10.1998 |
BDF-02 | R2136 | G-BJYP | 1.9.1983 |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2002/2003 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.
Ayres S-2R/T Turbo Thrush
in Belize Defence Force service
History
Used by the Air Wing. (DOSAW)
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
N3100E | T65-002DC | 1990 | wfu | |
N3100N | T65-003DC | 1990 | wfu | |
N3090M | T34-070DC | 4.1988 | w/o 1990 |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2004/2005 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.
Beech A90 King Air
in Belize Defence Force service
History
Used by the Air Wing.
Individual Details
Serial | c/no. | Prev. Identity | Delivered | Fate/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
BDF-06 | LJ-270 | 2004 | sold as N26540 in 2006 |
Pictures
None available at present.
More Information
References
- World Air Forces Directory 2004/2005 (Ian Carroll)
Other Sources
To be added.