Guatemalan Air Force

Slagorde · Guatemala

Guatemalan Air Force

Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca

The Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca) dates itself to 1921, watched a CIA-run air campaign topple the government in 1954, flew Mustangs, T-33s and then A-37s and PC-7s through a 36-year civil war in which a UN-backed commission found that state agents committed acts of genocide, and in 2026 is a small helicopter and transport force with three A-37s left, a light-attack gap it has twice failed to fill, and a newly lifted US arms embargo.

0Gevechtsvliegtuigen
4Actieve luchtbases
1921Opgericht
16Typen gepensioneerd
Photo: Peter Garwood / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
LandGuatemalaOpgericht1921StatusActiefHoofdkwartierLa Aurora, Guatemala CityCommandantJuan Carlos Ponce Valdez
Het verhaal

The Guatemalan Air Force story: a flying school at La Aurora, the 1954 coup and an unfilled attack role

1920–1945: a flying school on the La Aurora farm

Guatemalan military flying began with a French training mission, which opened a flying school in 1920 according to English Wikipedia. On 30 June 1921, Spanish Wikipedia records, the Escuela Militar de Mecánicos de Aviación moved formally to the La Aurora farm on the southern edge of the capital, with a Blériot XI-2, a Deperdussin and two Avro 504Ks; the service still counts 1921 as its birth year, and AGN reported the 102nd anniversary on 15 December 2023. The field at La Aurora, used for flying from 1923, became the centre of everything. A Cuerpo de Aviación Militar was set up in 1929 and Potez 25s and Wacos followed. The Second World War brought lend-lease aid, seven Boeing P-26s, armed T-6 Texans and trainers in 1943, and a first paved runway at La Aurora in 1942, built as part of a US military base. Decree 59 of 5 May 1945 reorganised the air corps; English Wikipedia dates the name Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca to 1948.

1954: the coup decided from the air

In June 1954 the decisive aircraft over Guatemala were not Guatemalan. The CIA’s Operation PBSuccess backed Carlos Castillo Armas’s small invasion force with P-47s and transports flying from Managua; with little payload, crews dropped dynamite and Molotov cocktails to make noise. English Wikipedia’s account, drawing on the declassified record, says the raids did little material damage but had a significant psychological impact. By 22 June only one P-47 was serviceable; Allen Dulles arranged three more through William Pawley, which went into action on 23 June. On 27 June a raid on Puerto San José hit the British freighter Springfjord, for which the CIA paid about a million dollars in compensation, and President Jacobo Árbenz resigned that day. What the Guatemalan Air Force itself did in those days was not confirmed in the sources checked and is left out.

1960–1996: Mustangs, Dragonflies and the civil war

The post-coup air force was rebuilt with American help: Spanish Wikipedia counts 20 F-51D Mustangs delivered between July 1954 and March 1962, eight A-26 Invaders in 1960 and, from January 1963, eight T-33s, the first jets. Guatemala also lent its soil to the CIA: the Bay of Pigs brigade trained its B-26 crews at a new airfield near Retalhuleu in 1960. The civil war began the same year. According to English Wikipedia, the air force began bombing MR-13 guerrilla bases in Izabal in February and March 1964, and from 1971 the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly became its counter-insurgency jet; the A-37 article records one lost in action in 1985. The UN-backed Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) attributed 93 per cent of the violations it documented to state forces and found that state agents committed acts of genocide against Maya groups in 1981–1983. How the air arm figured in those findings was not set out in the CEH conclusions checked.

Embargo years: Israel, Switzerland and the Arava

In 1977 the Carter administration cut military aid to Guatemala over human rights, and the air force turned elsewhere. Spanish Wikipedia lists eleven IAI Arava transports from Israel in 1976–1977, French Lama and Alouette III helicopters, and Pilatus PC-7s from Switzerland in 1979–1980 (English Wikipedia says twelve), alongside Bell helicopters through the 1980s. The force also had a foreign-policy role: during the Belize dispute of 1970–1971 English Wikipedia records T-33 reconnaissance and a deployment of Mustangs to Tikal. Bases spread outward — a northern base in Petén in 1981, a southern base at Retalhuleu in 1989, where the flying school moved from La Aurora. The war ended with the peace accords of December 1996. Infodefensa describes the US restriction on arms sales that followed as an embargo of almost 50 years.

2003–2026: three commands, helicopters and an unfilled attack role

Since a 2003 reorganisation the FAG has been organised in three air commands — Central at La Aurora, North at Mundo Maya in Petén and South at Retalhuleu — with the flying school at Retalhuleu and the technical school at La Aurora. Its combat fleet has dwindled: FlightGlobal’s 2025 count, as tabulated by Wikipedia, is three A-37Bs and two PC-7s, against a working fleet of Cessna Caravans, King Airs, PC-12s and some twenty Bell helicopters. Two attempts to buy a replacement failed: six Super Tucanos in 2013, abandoned by President Otto Pérez Molina over an alleged overprice, according to Infodefensa, and two Pampa IIIs in 2019, cancelled nine days after the order according to Jane’s. In March 2026 Infodefensa reported that the United States had lifted the arms embargo; the defence minister said no agreement had yet been signed, and light attack aircraft to intercept drug flights head the air force’s wish list.

In June 1954 the decisive aircraft over Guatemala were not Guatemalan. The CIA’s Operation PBSuccess backed Carlos Castillo Armas’s small invasion force with P-47s and transports flying from Managua; with little payload, crews dropped dynamite and Molotov cocktails to make noise.Guatemalan Air Force · verified 2026-10-01

In één oogopslag

The Guatemalan Air Force in numbers

Dienst

Inheemse naam
Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca (FAG)The Spanish name used by the Ministry of National Defence, AGN and Infodefensa. English Wikipedia’s article title is Guatemalan Air Force; Spanish is Guatemala’s only official national language
Opgericht
1921AGN marked the 102nd anniversary on 15 December 2023, and both English and Spanish Wikipedia give 1921; Spanish Wikipedia dates the formal move of the military aviation mechanics school to La Aurora to 30 June 1921. A French mission opened a flying school in 1920; the name Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca dates from 1945–1948 depending on the source
Onderdeel van
Guatemalan Army, Ministry of National DefenceThe FAG is a component of the Ejército de Guatemala under the Ministry of National Defence
Hoofdkwartier
La Aurora, Guatemala CityThe Comandancia de la Fuerza Aérea and the Central Air Command "General José Víctor Mejía" sit on the military side of La Aurora International Airport
Commandant
Juan Carlos Ponce Valdez (December 2023)Named by AGN on 15 December 2023; his current status was not confirmed
Minister van Nationale Defensie
Gen. Henry SáenzMinister under President Bernardo Arévalo, named in Infodefensa reports of 2025 and 2026

Kracht

Personeel
No current personnel figure was found on an official page or in the sources checked
Light attack aircraft
3 A-37B, 2 PC-7FlightGlobal’s World Air Forces 2025, as tabulated by English Wikipedia; the A-37 article also gives three A-37s in service in December 2022
Transport and utility aircraft
~11Five Cessna 208s, two King Air B200s, two PC-12s, one DHC-6 Twin Otter and one PA-31 in the 2025 count; a second Twin Otter was ordered in January 2025
Helikopters
~20Four Bell 206, one Bell 407, eight UH-1H (one an AB 205), two Bell 212, three Bell 412, one AS350 and one Bell 429 in the 2025 count. A Bell 407GX was lost on the Chixoy river in December 2024
Drones
1 S-45 BaalamIncorporated in 2021, described by Spanish Wikipedia (citing Pucará Defensa) as the first military UAV in Central America
Defensiebudget
Niet bevestigdInfodefensa reported US$52.2 million allocated for army weapons and equipment in 2026; no air force budget was found

Infrastructuur

Air commands
3Central (La Aurora), North (Mundo Maya, Santa Elena, Petén) and South (Retalhuleu), created by Acuerdo Gubernativo 312-2003 of 19 May 2003
Schools
2Escuela Militar de Aviación at Retalhuleu (at La Aurora from 1947 to 1989) and the Escuela Técnica Militar de Aviación at La Aurora
Other operating sites
Puerto San José and Puerto BarriosListed by Spanish Wikipedia as further operating bases
Jet-capable runways
La Aurora, Mundo Maya, San José2,987 m, 3,000 m and 2,010 m runways respectively per Wikipedia infoboxes; Retalhuleu’s runway is 1,525 m
Air surveillance radar
Indra radarsInfodefensa credits the FAG’s Indra radars as key to countering illegal flights; numbers and sites were not published

Structuur

How the Guatemalan Air Force is organised

A component of the Guatemalan Army under the Ministry of National Defence, organised since 2003 in three air commands — Central, North and South — with a flying school and a technical school. The light attack force is down to three A-37Bs and two PC-7s in FlightGlobal’s 2025 count, beside a working fleet of Caravans, King Airs, PC-12s and some twenty Bell helicopters; purchases of Super Tucanos in 2013 and Pampa IIIs in 2019 both fell through. In March 2026 Infodefensa reported that the United States had lifted its arms embargo.

JC

CommandantJuan Carlos Ponce ValdezCommander of the Guatemalan Air Force (Comandante de la Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca)
Guatemalan Air Force CommandComandancia de la Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca
Hoofdkwartier

Guatemalan Air Force Command

Comandancia de la Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca
La Aurora

The air force is a component of the Guatemalan Army under the Ministry of National Defence, with its headquarters on the military side of La Aurora International Airport. The state news agency AGN named Juan Carlos Ponce Valdez as commander in December 2023; whether he is still in post after the change of government in January 2024 could not be confirmed. The Minister of National Defence under President Bernardo Arévalo is Gen. Henry Sáenz.

Air command

Central Air Command

Comando Aéreo Central
La Aurora

One of the three air commands created by Acuerdo Gubernativo 312-2003 of 19 May 2003, covering most of the country outside Petén and the Pacific coast. A Bell 407GX lost on the Chixoy river in December 2024 had departed from it, according to Infodefensa; no other unit-to-aircraft disposition was published.

Air command

Northern Air Command

Comando Aéreo del Norte
Mundo Maya

On the Petén international airport at Santa Elena, where a northern base was established in 1981; a regional command since 2003, covering Petén and northern Quiché and Alta Verapaz. Its aircraft types were not confirmed.

Air command

Southern Air Command

Comando Aéreo del Sur
Retalhuleu

The southern base opened in 1989 and has been a regional command since 2003, covering Quetzaltenango, San Marcos, Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez, Escuintla, Santa Rosa and Jalapa. Its aircraft types were not confirmed.

Opleiding

Military Aviation School

Escuela Militar de Aviación
Retalhuleu

At La Aurora from 1947 until its move to Retalhuleu in 1989, according to Spanish Wikipedia. The PC-7, twelve bought from Switzerland in 1979–1980 by English Wikipedia’s count, is the air force’s listed trainer and light attack aircraft, with two left in FlightGlobal’s 2025 count; its basing at Retalhuleu was not confirmed on an official page.

Technische training

Military Aviation Technical School

Escuela Técnica Militar de Aviación (ETMA)
La Aurora

The military aviation technical school at La Aurora, dated to 1983 by Spanish Wikipedia.

Vervoer

Presidential Squadron

Escuadrón Presidencial
Niet bevestigd

Listed among the air force’s support units by English Wikipedia; its base and aircraft were not confirmed. The 2025 count lists two King Air B200s and three Bell 412s as VIP aircraft, among some eleven transports and about twenty helicopters.


In dienst

What the Guatemalan Air Force flies today

Elk type is gekoppeld aan de bijbehorende pagina in het Boek der Beesten, indien aanwezig. Het aantal vliegtuigen betreft de geregistreerde vliegtuigen, niet de vliegtuigen die op een bepaalde dag beschikbaar zijn.

Type Rol In dienst Sinds Eenheden Notities
Cessna A-37B DragonflyIn dienst Light attack and counter-insurgency 3 1971 — Three in FlightGlobal’s World Air Forces 2025, as tabulated by English Wikipedia and in December 2022 per the A-37 article. Delivery totals were not confirmed.
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo TrainerIn dienst Trainer en lichte aanval 2 1979 — Two in the 2025 count; English Wikipedia says twelve were acquired in 1979–1980.
Cessna 208 CaravanIn dienst Nutsvervoer 5 — Five in the 2025 count.
Beechcraft Super King Air B200In dienst VIP and utility transport 2 — Two in the 2025 count.
Pilatus PC-12In dienst Surveillance and light transport 2 2023 — Two in the 2025 count, which Wikipedia lists with US origin; one is the PC-12/47E donated by the US in May 2024.
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterIn dienst Transport and parachute training 1 — One in the 2025 count; a second was ordered in January 2025.
Piper PA-31 NavajoIn dienst Contactpersoon 1 — One in the 2025 count.
Bell UH-1H Iroquois (and Agusta-Bell AB 205)In dienst Hulphelikopter 8 — Eight in the 2025 count, one of them an Agusta AB 205.
Bell 206 JetRangerIn dienst Liaison and utility helicopter 4 1980 — Four in the 2025 count.
Bell 407GXIn dienst Liaison and utility helicopter 1 — One in the 2025 count; Bell 407GX 151 was lost on 29 December 2024 (reported date) and a further Bell 407 was ordered in January 2025.

Meer

Whether the 2025 count predates the loss was not confirmed.

Bel 212In dienst Hulphelikopter 2 1980 — Two in the 2025 count.
Bell 412 (incl. 412EPX)In dienst VIP and utility helicopter 3 1980 — Three in the 2025 count, listed as VIP. Spanish Wikipedia records two Bell 412EPX added in 2022.
Bell 429In dienst Hulphelikopter 1 2023 — One in the 2025 count.
Airbus-helikopters AS350 ÉcureuilIn dienst Hulphelikopter 1 — One in the 2025 count.
S-45 Baalam UAVIn dienst Surveillance drone 1 2021 — One, incorporated in 2021.
UH-1H8
C2085
Bell 2064
A-37B3
Bell 4123
PC-72
B2002
PC-122

Op bestelling

Type Besteld Eerste levering Notities
Bell 407Op bestelling 1 2025 Ordered with one DHC-6 Twin Otter in a government-to-government deal with the United States worth about US$18 million, reported on 25 January 2025; delivery was due by the end of 2025.

Meer

Arrival was not confirmed in the sources checked.

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterOp bestelling 1 2025 Part of the same US$18 million package, for transport, parachute training, medical evacuation and disaster relief. Arrival was not confirmed.

Voorheen in bedrijf

Every type the Guatemalan Air Force has retired

16 types, from the Avro 504K to the Avro 504K. De piekcijfers hebben betrekking op het aantal vliegtuigen dat gedurende de gehele levensduur in gebruik is genomen, niet op de vlootsterkte op een bepaalde datum.

Type Rol Piek Geserveerd Vervangen door Notities
Avro 504K Trainer 2 1921– — Two, with a Blériot XI-2 and a Deperdussin TT, formed the 1921 school fleet.
Potez 25 Reconnaissance-bomber 4 1929– — Four in 1929.
Boeing P-26 Peashooter Vechter 7 1943– P-51D Seven in 1943.
North American T-6 Texan (armed) Trainer en lichte aanval 3 1943– — Three armed T-6s in 1943; later totals not confirmed.
North American F-51D Mustang Jachtbommenwerper 20 1954– A-37B Spanish Wikipedia lists deliveries of 3 (July 1954), 4 (October 1954), 7 (April 1956), 3 (April 1958) and 3 (March 1962): 20 in all.
Douglas A-26 (B-26) Invader Bommenwerper 8 1960– — Eight delivered in August 1960.
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star Jet trainer and reconnaissance 8 1963– A-37B Four in January 1963, two in December 1964 and two in June 1965 under the Military Assistance Program.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain Vervoer — 1946– — Three in 1946 and four more in 1963; total not confirmed.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster Vervoer 1 1964– — One in November 1964.
Douglas DC-6B Vervoer 1 1973– — One in 1973.
Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw Hulphelikopter 4 1965– — Two in June 1965 and two in September 1966; English Wikipedia describes armed UH-19Bs.
IAI Arava 201 STOL transport 11 1976– — Eleven in 1976–1977.
Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama and SA 319 Alouette III Hulphelikopter — 1976– — Cijfers niet bevestigd.
Fokker F27 Friendship Vervoer 1 1982– — One in 1982.
Fouga CM.170 Magister Straaltrainer — — — Numbers and dates not confirmed.
Sikorsky S-76 Transporthelikopter — — — Numbers and dates not confirmed.

Luchtbases

Where the Guatemalan Air Force flies from

Black pins are active bases; none of the four mapped here has closed. La Aurora, on Guatemala’s main international airport, has been the centre of military flying since 1923 and holds the headquarters and the Central Air Command; the Northern Air Command flies from Mundo Maya in Petén and the Southern from Retalhuleu. Spanish Wikipedia lists Puerto San José and Puerto Barrios as further operating sites. Entries with no published aerodrome data carry no pin.

Actieve luchtmachtbasis Gesloten of reserverenKlik op een speld om de basispagina te openen.
Baseren ICAO Status Startbaan Eenheden en vliegtuigen
La AuroraGuatemala Department MGGT Actief 02/202.987 m
  • Comandancia de la Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca: Geen
  • Comando Aéreo Central (Central Air Command): Types not confirmed by unit
  • Escuela Técnica Militar de Aviación (ETMA): Geen
  • Escuadrón Presidencial (Presidential Transport Squadron): Typen niet bevestigd
  • Escuela Militar de Aviación: Pilatus PC-7 (from 1979)
Mundo MayaSanta ElenaPetén Department MGMM Actief 10/283.000 mconcreet
  • Comando Aéreo del Norte (Northern Air Command): Typen niet bevestigd
RetalhuleuRetalhuleu Department MGRT Actief 04/221.525 m
  • Comando Aéreo del Sur (Southern Air Command): Typen niet bevestigd
  • Escuela Militar de Aviación (EMA): Pilatus PC-7
San José AirportPuerto San JoséEscuintla Department MGSJ Actief 15/332,010 m —

Geen enkele luchtmachtbasis voldoet aan die zoekopdracht.


Slagorde

Who is stationed where in the Guatemalan Air Force

Vliegende eenheden per basis, met de huidige eenheden eerst. Guatemalan air units are organised by command and school rather than by numbered squadron, and beyond the headquarters, the three commands and the two schools no unit-to-aircraft disposition was published in a form that could be reached. Where a unit’s base or aircraft rest on Wikipedia alone, the entry says so.

La Aurora Air Base · MGGTComando Aéreo Central, Guatemalan Air Force
Comandancia de la Fuerza Aérea GuatemaltecaAir force headquarters · active
Geen
Comando Aéreo Central (Central Air Command)Regional air command · active
Types not confirmed by unit
Escuela Técnica Militar de Aviación (ETMA)Technical school · active
Geen
Escuadrón Presidencial (Presidential Transport Squadron)VIP-transporteskader · actief
Typen niet bevestigd
Escuela Militar de Aviación1947–1989
Pilatus PC-7 (from 1979)
Retalhuleu · MGRTComando Aéreo del Sur, Guatemalan Air Force
Comando Aéreo del Sur (Southern Air Command)Regional air command · active
Typen niet bevestigd
Escuela Militar de Aviación (EMA)Flying school · active
Pilatus PC-7
Mundo Maya (Santa Elena) · MGMMComando Aéreo del Norte, Guatemalan Air Force
Comando Aéreo del Norte (Northern Air Command)Regional air command · active
Typen niet bevestigd

Geen enkel apparaat voldoet aan die zoekopdracht.


Tijdlijn

Guatemalan Air Force milestones, 1914 to today

1920

A French military aviation mission opens a flying training school, according to English Wikipedia.

1921

30 June: the military aviation mechanics school moves formally to the La Aurora farm; the FAG counts 1921 as its founding year.

1929

The Cuerpo de Aviación Militar is established; four Potez 25s arrive.

1942

La Aurora gets its first paved runway, 2,000 metres, as part of a US military base.

1945

5 May: Decree 59 reorganises military aviation; English Wikipedia dates the name Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca to 1948.

1954

18–27 June: a CIA-backed invasion supported by P-47 air raids ends with President Árbenz’s resignation; the first F-51D Mustangs arrive in July.

1960

The CIA builds an airfield near Retalhuleu to train the Bay of Pigs brigade’s B-26 crews; the FAG receives eight A-26 Invaders in August.

1963

January: four T-33s bring the first jets.

1964

February–March: the air force bombs MR-13 guerrilla bases in Izabal, according to English Wikipedia.

1971

First Cessna A-37B Dragonflies arrive (deliveries 1971–1975).

1977

The Carter administration cuts military aid over human rights; Guatemala buys eleven IAI Aravas from Israel in 1976–1977.

1979

Pilatus PC-7s arrive from Switzerland (1979–1980).

1981

A northern air base opens in Petén; 1981–1983 is the period in which the CEH found acts of genocide by state agents against Maya groups.

1989

The southern air base at Retalhuleu opens and the military flying school moves there from La Aurora.

1996

December: the peace accords end the 36-year civil war.

2003

19 May: Acuerdo Gubernativo 312-2003 creates the Central, Northern and Southern air commands.

2013

A planned purchase of six Super Tucanos is abandoned by President Otto Pérez Molina; in 2019 an order for two IA-63 Pampa IIIs is cancelled nine days after it was placed.

2026

March: Infodefensa reports that the US has lifted its arms embargo; 29 May: a US C-130 delivers equipment to the FAG.


Gevechtsgeschiedenis

Every war the Guatemalan Air Force has fought

Uitvallen en verliezen waar de gegevens die vermelden, en een eerlijke blanco waar die ontbreken.

4conflicten
1954Eerst
1Vliegtuig verloren
2Gedood
  • The 1954 coup (Operation PBSuccess) 1954 On the receiving end of a CIA-organised air campaign supporting Carlos Castillo Armas’s invasion; the FAG’s own actions were not confirmed in the sources checked
  • The Guatemalan Civil War 1960–1996 Counter-insurgency: bombing, close air support, reconnaissance, helicopter transport of troops
  • Belize border tension 1970–1971 Reconnaissance and deployment; no air combat
  • Counter-narcotics air operations 1990s–present Radar surveillance, interception of illegal flights, transport of security forces and seized drugs

Bekijk het volledige gevechtsverslag


Vragen en antwoorden

Everything people ask about the Guatemalan Air Force

What is the Guatemalan Air Force called in Spanish?
Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca, abbreviated FAG; that is the name used by the Ministry of National Defence, the state news agency AGN and Infodefensa. English Wikipedia titles its article "Guatemalan Air Force". It is part of the Guatemalan Army (Ejército de Guatemala).
When was the Guatemalan Air Force founded?
The FAG counts 1921 as its founding year: AGN reported its 102nd anniversary on 15 December 2023. Spanish Wikipedia dates the formal move of the military aviation mechanics school to the La Aurora farm to 30 June 1921, after a French mission opened a flying school in 1920. The name Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca came later, between Decree 59 of 1945 and 1948.
What aircraft does the Guatemalan Air Force fly in 2026?
FlightGlobal’s 2025 count lists three A-37B Dragonfly jets and two Pilatus PC-7s for light attack, Cessna Caravans, King Airs, PC-12s, a Twin Otter and a Navajo for transport, and about twenty helicopters: UH-1H, Bell 206, 212, 407, 412 and 429 and an AS350. It also operates an S-45 Baalam drone.
Does Guatemala have fighter jets?
Not in the modern sense. Its only jets are three Cessna A-37B Dragonflies, a 1960s light attack aircraft, in FlightGlobal’s 2025 count. Attempts to buy six Super Tucanos in 2013 and two Pampa IIIs in 2019 both collapsed.
Why did Guatemala not buy the Super Tucano?
According to Infodefensa, the FAG tried to buy six in 2013, but President Otto Pérez Molina abandoned the purchase over an alleged overprice, and the government paid a penalty for not using the Brazilian BNDES loan. Infodefensa reported in July 2026 that the air force still sees the type as a modernisation option.
What did the air force do in the 1954 coup?
The decisive air power in June 1954 belonged to the other side: CIA-supplied P-47s flying from Managua supported Castillo Armas’s invasion, with little material effect but, according to English Wikipedia’s account, a big psychological one. President Árbenz resigned on 27 June. What the FAG itself did was not confirmed in the sources checked.
What role did the air force play in the civil war?
It flew counter-insurgency missions from 1964, when English Wikipedia records bombing of guerrilla bases in Izabal, to the 1990s, with Mustangs, T-33s, then A-37s, PC-7s and helicopters. The UN-backed CEH attributed 93 per cent of documented violations to state forces and found acts of genocide by state agents against Maya groups in 1981–1983; its conclusions do not single out the air arm.
Is the US arms embargo on Guatemala over?
Infodefensa reported on 11 March 2026 that the United States had lifted the restriction on arms sales dating back almost 50 years, after reviewing Guatemala’s counter-narcotics efforts; Defence Minister Henry Sáenz said no agreement had yet been signed to finalise it. A US Air National Guard C-130 delivered equipment to the FAG at La Aurora at the end of May 2026.
Where are the Guatemalan Air Force’s bases?
Since 2003 the FAG has three air commands: Central at La Aurora in Guatemala City, North at Mundo Maya airport in Santa Elena, Petén, and South at Retalhuleu, home of the flying school. Spanish Wikipedia also lists operating sites at Puerto San José and Puerto Barrios.



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