History
Narrative Summary
Key Dates
Current Status
The Cyprus National Guard Air Wing, or more formally the Cyprus Air Command, currently has two main air bases on the island, including Papandreou AFB in Paphos, and Lakatamia AFB in Nicosia district. The military forces also use both Paphos and Larnaca International Airports on a regular basis. Larnaca is the main headquarters of the Police Air Wing, which shares joint command with the Air Command.
Main roles are patrol, communications, police support, firefighting, search and rescue, coastguard activities and casualty evacuation. Its operations are restricted to the Southern Greek-Cypriot area of the island. Cyprus became responsible for carrying out SAR duties in the area in March 2002.
Future Plans
None known.
Markings
National Insignia
Aircraft Serial Numbers
1960-1974
The first CNGAW aircraft carried serial numbers prefixed by the letters ‘CR’ (Cyprus Republic). The prefix ‘D’ was reportedly used for a short time after 1968:
| CR1 AB.47J | CR2 AB.47J | CR3 Do 27Q | CR4 ? |
| CR5 ? | D6 Beech C-45 | D7 Piper L-21B | CR8 Piper Colt |
1982-Present
When the CNGAW was reformed in 1982, the aircraft operated with civil registrations eg: 5B-ICV for the Maritime Defender. With the delivery of the Gazelles in 1988, a new military serialling system was introduced. This comprised a three-digit serial number, where the first digit indicates the aircraft type and last two digits identify the individual airframe, eg: 901 for a PC-9.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False Reports of Aircraft in Service
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
None known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Cypriot National Guard Air Command, Nicosia.
Organisational Structure
The flying element of the Cyprus Air Command currently comprise three squadrons, located at two different air bases.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle for 1964
Historical Order of Battle for 1974
Historical Order of Battle for 1985
Historical Order of Battle for 1990
Historical Order of Battle for 2000
All-Time Flying Units List
Mira Aeroskafon
Mira Elikopteron-Aeroskafon
449 Mira Antiarmatikon Elikopteron
450 Mira Elikopteron
460 Mira Elikopteron
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
Air bases currently used are Paphos and Lakatamia. The airfield at Paphos is equipped with hardened aircraft shelters and hosts occasional visits from Greek AF F-16s.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the bases currently used by the DA, a number of airports and airfields around the country have been used by other Air Forces.
Cyprus Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Aerospace Encyclopedia of World Air Forces (Aerospace, 1999) p.170
Magazines
World Air Power Journal No.5 p.142
Air Fan October 1995
Air Forces Monthly August 1996
Air Forces Monthly October 2003
Cockpit (Stragiki AE)
Websites
Official Cyprus Army Website
wikipedia: Cyprus Air Forces
Scramble: Cyprus Overview
wikipedia: Cyprus National Guard Air Command
Main Marking
