United Arab Emirates Air Force

United Arab Emirates Air Force
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Unit name	United Arab Emirates Air Force
Country	United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Air Force is the air force of the United Arab Emirates, and is part of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The air force was formed in 2008, after the United Arab Emirates gained independence from the United Kingdom, with the help of France, United States, and Soviet Union. The air force has been involved in several military operations, including the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, and Yemeni Civil War, alongside Royal Air Force, United States Air Force, and French Air Force. The air force has also participated in several international exercises, such as Red Flag, Anatolian Eagle, and NATO's Air Defender exercise, with German Air Force, Italian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force.

● History

The history of the air force dates back to 1968, when the Trucial States formed the Trucial Oman Scouts, which included an air wing, with the help of British Army and Royal Air Force. In 1971, the air wing became the United Arab Emirates Air Force, with the delivery of the first Dassault Mirage III aircraft from Dassault Aviation, and the establishment of the Al Dhafra Air Base. The air force has since grown to become one of the most advanced in the region, with the acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon and Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Dassault Aviation, and the participation in several international exercises, including Red Flag with United States Air Force, and Anatolian Eagle with Turkish Air Force. The air force has also been involved in several military operations, including the Gulf War, with Royal Air Force, United States Air Force, and French Air Force, and the War in Afghanistan, with International Security Assistance Force and NATO.

● Organization

The air force is organized into several squadrons, including the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Squadron, and 4th Squadron, which operate the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, Dassault Mirage 2000, and Dassault Mirage III aircraft, respectively. The air force is also responsible for the operation of several air bases, including Al Dhafra Air Base, Al Minhad Air Base, and Sas Al Nakhl Air Base, which are equipped with Raytheon Patriot and MBDA Aster air defense systems, and are home to several squadrons, including the 1st Squadron and 5th Squadron. The air force is commanded by the Chief of the Air Force, who is responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the air force, and reports to the Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, and works closely with the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and French Air Force.

● Equipment

The air force operates a range of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, Dassault Mirage 2000, and Dassault Mirage III, which are equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM and MBDA MICA missiles, and are used for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, in support of United Arab Emirates Army and United Arab Emirates Navy. The air force also operates several transport aircraft, including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which are used for logistics and transport missions, and are supported by Boeing KC-10 Extender and Airbus A330 MRTT tankers, from Boeing and Airbus. The air force has also acquired several General Atomics MQ-1 Predator and General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, from General Atomics, which are used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, in support of United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and NATO.

● Operations

The air force has been involved in several military operations, including the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, and Yemeni Civil War, alongside Royal Air Force, United States Air Force, and French Air Force. The air force has also participated in several international exercises, such as Red Flag, Anatolian Eagle, and NATO's Air Defender exercise, with German Air Force, Italian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force. The air force has also provided humanitarian assistance, including the delivery of aid to Somalia and Yemen, with the support of United Nations and European Union. The air force has also been involved in several search and rescue operations, including the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, with the support of Australian Defence Force and Chinese People's Liberation Army.

● Bases

The air force operates several air bases, including Al Dhafra Air Base, Al Minhad Air Base, and Sas Al Nakhl Air Base, which are equipped with Raytheon Patriot and MBDA Aster air defense systems, and are home to several squadrons, including the 1st Squadron and 5th Squadron. The air force also has a presence at several other air bases, including Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport, which are used for logistics and transport missions, and are supported by Dubai Airports and Abu Dhabi Airports. The air force has also established a presence at several international air bases, including Incirlik Air Base in Turkey and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which are used for military operations and training exercises, with the support of Turkish Air Force and Qatar Air Force.

● Ranks and Insignia

The air force uses a range of ranks and insignia, including the Marshal of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal, and Air Marshal, which are equivalent to the United States Air Force ranks of General, Lieutenant General, and Major General. The air force also uses several other ranks, including the Group Captain, Wing Commander, and Squadron Leader, which are equivalent to the Royal Air Force ranks of Group Captain, Wing Commander, and Squadron Leader. The air force has also established a range of insignia, including the Pilot's Wings and the Aircrew Badge, which are awarded to aircrew who have completed training and have flown a certain number of hours, with the support of United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and NATO.

Category:Military of the United Arab Emirates