View source for Uruguayan Air Force

{{Short description|Air warfare branch of Uruguay's military}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Uruguayan Air Force
| native_name                   = {{lang|es|Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya}}
| image                         = Uruguayan Air Force wings.svg
| image_size                    = 250px
| caption                       = Badge of the Uruguayan Air Force
| start_date                    = {{ubl|4 December 1953|({{Age in years and months|1953|12|04}})|(''as independent service'')}}
----
{{ubl|17 March 1913|({{Age in years and months|1913|03|17}})|(''as [[Escuela Militar de Aviación (Uruguay)|Escuela Militar de Aviación]]'')}}
----
| country                       = {{flag|Uruguay}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Air Force]]
| role                          = [[Aerial Warfare]]
| size                          = 2,850 servicemen<br />60 aircraft
| command_structure             = [[Armed Forces of Uruguay|Uruguayan Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = {{ubl|{{lang|es|La aviación, vanguardia de la Patria}}|"Aviation, vanguard of the Homeland"}}
| colours                       = 
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = [[Uruguayan Air Force March]]
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = {{ubl|17 March ([[Air Force Day]])|10 August (Day of the Martyrs of Military Aviation)}}
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = [[Failed Revolution of 1935]] <br> (As Aeronáutica Militar) <br> [[Revolución Libertadora]]  <br> (F-51Ds Combat Air Patrols against Uruguayan airspace violations by Argentina) <br>  [[Taking of Pando]] <br> (Anti guerrilla-warfare against [[Tupamaros]]) <br> [[1973 Uruguayan coup d'état]]
| battles_label                 = Engagements
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = {{Official URL}}
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1                    = [[File:Coat_of_arms_of_Uruguay.svg|25px]] [[President of Uruguay]]
| commander1_label              = Supreme Commander
| commander2                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Air Force General Fernando Colina Alsinet
| commander2_label              = Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force
| commander3                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Brigadier General José M. Medina
| commander3_label              = Commander of Air Command Operations
| commander4                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Brigadier General Juan José Méndez Quintana
| commander4_label              = Commander of Air Command Staff
| commander5                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Brigadier General Fernando Colina
| commander5_label              = Chief of General Staff
| commander6                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Brigadier General Gaetano Battagliese
| commander6_label              = Commander of Air Logistics Command
| commander7                    = [[File:Flag_of_the_Uruguayan_Air_Force.svg|25px]] Brigadier General Leonardo Blengini
| commander7_label              = National Director of Civil Aviation and Aviation
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the Uruguayan Air Force.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Flag
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Roundel of Uruguay.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Flag of Artigas.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Fin Flash
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack               = [[Cessna A-37 Dragonfly|A-37B]], [[EMB 314 Super Tucano |A-29]]
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|AS365]], [[Bell 212]], [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1H]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = [[CASA C-212 Aviocar|C-212]]
| aircraft_recon                = [[CASA C-212 Aviocar|C-212]], [[Cessna 206|U-206H]]
| aircraft_trainer              = [[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260|SF-260EU]], [[Pilatus PC-7|PC-7U]], [[LET L-13 Blaník|L-13]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|C-95]], [[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|C-120ER]], [[CASA C-212 Aviocar|C-212]], [[Cessna 310|C-310L]], [[Lockheed KC-130 Hercules|KC-130H]], [[Beechcraft Queen Air|A65]], [[Beechcraft Baron 55|UB-55]], [[Beechcraft Baron 58|UB-58]], [[Piper PA-18|PA-18]]
| aircraft_tanker               = [[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130H]]
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Uruguayan Air Force''' ({{langx|es|Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya}}, abbreviated '''FAU''') is the air [[Military branch|service branch]] of the [[Armed Forces of Uruguay]]. Originally created as part of the [[National Army (Uruguay)|National Army of Uruguay]], the Air Force was established as a separate branch on December 4, 1953.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ley N° 12070 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/12070-1953/1 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref> It is the youngest and also the smallest branch of the [[Armed Forces of Uruguay]]. In 1977 it was determined that the mission of the Air Force is to conduct strategic and tactical aerospace operations on behalf of the national defense, exercising the sovereignty of the Uruguayan airspace and defending the independence, integrity, constitution and laws of the country. The Air Force must also conduct search and rescue missions and plan, propose, execute and supervise the necessary measures for the development of the aerospace potential, while providing any necessary and possible logistical support during the natural disasters that the country may suffer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto Ley N° 14747 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos-ley/14747-1977/5 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref> Since 1985 this has been always carried out under the command of the [[President of Uruguay]], and according to the [[Ministry of National Defense (Uruguay)|Minister of National Defense]].<ref>Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya, (2008). ''[http://www.fuerzaaereauruguaya.com/mision.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014213348/http://www.fuerzaaereauruguaya.com/mision.html|date=2008-10-14}}''. Retrieved 2 October 2008.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto Ley N° 14747 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos-ley/14747-1977/4 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref>

==History==

=== Antecedents ===
Military aviation in [[Uruguay]] was born on 17 March 1913 when the Military Aviation School ([[Escuela Militar de Aviación (Uruguay)|''Escuela Militar de Aviación'']]) was formed. Like other [[Latin America]]n countries, flight instruction was initially performed by a European instructor pilot. In [[Uruguay]], this was made by the [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909–1942)|French]] instructor [[Marcel Paillette]], who trained ten [[National Army (Uruguay)|National Army]] officers who had been chosen to be the first Uruguayan military pilots. Among them were [[Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza|Captain Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza]] and [[Cesáreo L. Berisso|Lieutenant Cesáreo L. Berisso]]. Berisso was one of the first graduates from that school, and on 22 June 1913, he carried out the first solo flight by a Uruguayan, flying from [[Los Cerrillos (Uruguay)|Los Cerrillos]] to [[Malvín]] in 1 hour 45 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Escuela Militar de Aeronáutica |url=http://www.ema.edu.uy/historia.php |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.ema.edu.uy}}</ref> He then became the first director of the military aviation flight school and continued his military career until reaching the rank of General. He died on July 28, 1971, and became the namesake of [[Gen. Cesáreo L. Berisso Air Base]] in [[Carrasco, Montevideo|Carrasco]], the headquarters of [[Air Brigade I]]. Boiso Lanza, however, was the first fatality of the Uruguayan military aviation. He died in a plane crash on 10 August 1918, when he was training in [[France]], and later became the namesake of [[Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base]], where the [[General Command of the Uruguayan Air Force]] is located in [[Montevideo]]. In his honor, August 10 was also made the military aviation martyrs day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidente Lacalle Pou encabezó acto por el Día de los Mártires de la Aviación Militar |url=https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/presidente-lacalle-pou-encabezo-acto-dia-martires-aviacion-militar-0 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Uruguay Presidencia |language=es}}</ref>

Along with two other young Army officers, [[Adhemar Saenz Lacueva]] and [[Esteban Cristi]], the school that was formed was the only military aviation facility in Uruguay until 1935, and used several European aircraft types in fairly large numbers before American aircraft became the most predominant ones. During the twenties, and among them, were sixteen [[Avro 504]]K, thirteen [[Breguet 14]], five [[Castaibert aircraft|Castaibert]] 913-IV and twenty-eight [[Nieuport 27]]. These pioneering years saw many air routes opened and an overall increase in the awareness of the aviation with military potential.

=== Aeronáutica Militar ===
In 1935 the Military Aeronautics (''Aeronáutica Militar'') was established and transformed the military aviation of Uruguay into a more professional weapon of the National Army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1913 – 1953) |isbn=978-9974-96-254-5 |location=Uruguay |pages=398–399 |language=es}}</ref> New units and airbases were created, and also new and more modern aircraft types were introduced into service. Among the aircraft used during this period were [[De Havilland Tiger Moth|de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth]] and [[IMAM Ro.37]]. 

At the beginning of 1935, the Uruguayan Army suppressed an armed movement against [[Gabriel Terra]] government by members of different political factions. Military operations such as the [[Battle of Paso de Morlan]] and the bombardment of revolutionary positions with Tiger Moth aircraft meant the first combat use of military aviation in Uruguay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorias del Tiempo de Vuelo / De Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/historiatigermothen.htm |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=www.pilotoviejo.com}}</ref> Then, during 1942 [[Curtiss-Wright CW-22|Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon]] and [[North American T-6 Texan]] training aircraft began their service in [[Uruguay]], as did the [[Beechcraft Model 18|Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan]] and [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]] in 1947.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1913 – 1953) |isbn=978-9974-96-254-5 |location=Uruguay |pages=565–568 |language=es}}</ref> Between 1949 and 1950 a total number of 39 aircraft were acquired, including 25 [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American F-51D-20-NA Mustang]], 11 [[North American B-25 Mitchell|North American B-25J-25-NC Mitchell]] and 3 [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas C-47A Skytrain]]. With the help of the United States via the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Act|Military Assistance Program]] (MAP), these aircraft allowed the military aviation of Uruguay to grow not only in size but in training.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1913 - 1953) |isbn=978-9974-96-254-5 |location=Uruguay |page=633 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Grasso |first=Rolando |title=El F-51D Mustang. Un Pura Sangre en el Uruguay |isbn=978-9974-96-529-4 |location=Uruguay |page=46 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Historias / FAU 252: el avión que no muere |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/memoriaspv12.htm |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.pilotoviejo.com}}</ref>

=== Creation of the Uruguayan Air Force ===
[[File:Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya.png|left|thumb|164x164px|The figure of the Prócer de Uruguay, José Gervasio Artigas on a stamp of the Uruguayan Air Force.]]
On December 4, 1950, with Law No. 12070, the Military Air Force (''Fuerza Aérea Militar'') was created as a separate branch of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ley N° 12070 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes-originales/12070-1953 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref> All the elements of infrastructure, material, aircraft, personnel and items belonging to the Military Aeronautics were transferred to the new Air Force, as it was established in the first article of the law.<ref>{{cite act|type=Ley|index=12070|year=1953|title=Ley N° 12070 Fuerza Aérea Militar}}</ref> The second article of this law established the creation of the [[General Inspection of the Air Force]] (''Inspección General de la Fuerza Aérea''), which under the immediate authority of the [[Ministry of National Defense (Uruguay)|Ministry of National Defense]], became the direct command of the Military Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ley N° 12070 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes-originales/12070-1953/2 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref> 

=== Combat patrols during the Revolución Libertadora ===
On June 16, 1955, the Argentine Navy, supported by members of the Army and the Argentine Air Force rebelled against the Government of [[Juan Perón]], in what is known as the [[Revolución Libertadora]]. Therefore, the Uruguayan Military Air Force had to change its operational routine according to orders issued by the Executive branch, in order to maintain air surveillance in the event of any violation of Uruguayan sovereignty by Argentine forces. That same day, F-51Ds and B-25Js were fully armed, and around 16:00 local time a first order was given for two F-51s to scramble to [[Colonia del Sacramento|Colonia]], and a B-25 to the north coast. On September 17, 1955, a section of two F-51 crewed by 1st Lt. Walter Samarello and Lt. 2nd Miguel Lagrotta, who were on a reconnaissance mission, sighted two Argentine warships. These ships appeared in a visual aid that had been delivered to all the pilots of the Aviation Group No. 2, which contained the profiles of the ships of the Argentine fleet. When sighted, the ships fired several bursts of anti-aircraft fire, and Lieutenant Samarello decided to shelter the section among the clouds. The Argentine crew, upon noticing the error and realizing that they were firing at Uruguayan planes, communicated over radio to an Air Force station in [[Cerrito, Montevideo]], a request to not be flown over to avoid confusion, specially after one of these rebel ships had already been attacked by Argentine Air Force pilots loyal to Perón.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The F-51D in the Uruguayan Air Force |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/externas/Aeronaves_militares_del_Uruguay_-_F51.pdf |language=Spanish}}</ref>

=== Jet age ===
In 1956 the Military Air Force was, for the first time, referred to as the Uruguayan Air Force, and thus it could be considered that from this point forward this name began being used.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1953 — 2004) |isbn=978-9974-96-255-2 |location=Uruguay |page=65 |language=es}}</ref> One of the first milestones of the Uruguayan Air Force was also in 1956, when as a result of the Army and later Air Force capability of sustaining a high level of flight training with its F-51D aircraft, flying over 4,000 hours in one year and through the help of the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Act|Military Assistance Program]], the Aviation Group No. 2 (Fighters) (''Grupo de Aviación N.° 2 (Caza)'') received its first jet aircraft, four [[Lockheed T-33|Lockheed T-33A-5-LO]] that arrived at the [[Carrasco International Airport]] on October 23, 1956, beginning the [[Jet Age|jet age]] in [[Uruguay]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1953 - 2003) |isbn=978-9974-96-255-2 |location=Uruguay |page=70 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorias del Tiempo de Vuelo / Esquemas del T-33 en la FAU |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/elt33enlafau.htm#:~:text=El%20T-33%20fue%20el,pa%C3%ADs%20al%20mando%20del%20Cnel. |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.pilotoviejo.com}}</ref> The flight training that the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) pilots gave in these new jet aircraft was fundamental for the Air Force, and not only veteran but new pilots of the Aviation Group No. 2 were able to transition from flying piston aircraft to jet aircraft on its own, ruling that the Air Force was ready to receive its first single seat jet fighters, [[Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star|Lockheed F-80C-10-LO Shooting Star.]] These aircraft arrived in 1958 and replaced the [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American F-51D-20-NA Mustang]] in their mission.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1953 - 2003) |isbn=978-9974-96-255-2 |page=93}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rodríguez |first=Tabaré Ifrán |date=2010 |title=Los Lockheed F-80C de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya |url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=3892464 |journal=Revista española de historia militar |issue=126–127 |pages=194–203 |issn=1575-9059}}</ref>

In 1959, at the initiative of [[Conrado A. Saez|Brigadier Conrado A. Saez]], General Inspector of the Air Force at the time, the Uruguayan Military Air Transport (''Transporte Aéreo Militar Uruguayo'') was founded to complement the flag carrier [[PLUNA|First Uruguayan Air Navigation Lines]] (''Primeras Líneas Uruguayas de Navegación Aérea'') and provide passenger and cargo services to different cities in the interior of the country and also abroad.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1953 — 2004) |isbn=978-9974-96-255-2 |location=Uruguay |pages=252–254 |language=es}}</ref> TAMU began operating [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-47A-75-DL (DC-3) CX-BJH/T-511 Artigas Airport (ATI) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780210-1 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> and would later use [[Fokker F27 Friendship]], [[Fairchild F-27|Fairchild-Hiller FH-227D]], [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|Embraer C-95 Bandeirante]] and [[CASA C-212 Aviocar]] of the Uruguayan Air Force. The service of the C-95 in [[Uruguay]] marked the first [[Embraer]] export in its entire history, when a total number of five of these brand new aircraft were purchased in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bandeirante: Embraer's first aircraft |url=https://www.key.aero/article/bandeirante-embraers-first-aircraft |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.key.aero |language=en}}</ref>

=== The Air Force and the Uruguayan dictatorship ===
{{Main articles|1973 Uruguayan coup d'état}}
Since the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s, the Air Force was involved in the fight against the guerrilla activity that was present in the country, focusing against the [[Tupamaros|MLN-T]] (''Movimiento de Liberación Nacional – Tupamaros'' or Tupamaros – National Liberation Movement), that later triggered a participation in the country's politics.

On February 8, 1973, President [[Juan María Bordaberry]] tried to assert his authority over the Armed Forces by returning them to their normal duties and appointing a retired Army general, [[Antonio Francese]], as the new [[Ministry of National Defense (Uruguay)|Minister of National Defense]]. Initially, the Navy of Uruguay supported the appointment but the National Army and Uruguayan Air Force commanders rejected it outright. On February 9 and 10, the Army and Air Force issued public proclamations and demanded his dismissal and changes in the country's political and economic system. Bordaberry then gave up to the pressure, and on February 12, at the [[Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base]], Headquarters of the General Command of the Air Force, the National Security Council (''Consejo de Seguridad Nacional'') was created. The Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force was one of its permanent members, and the Armed Forces of Uruguay from now on were effectively in control of the country, with Bordaberry just participating in a [[self-coup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Veiga |first=Lucas |date=2021-02-15 |title=El Día - Boiso Lanza y la "Historia Innombrable". |url=https://diarioeldia.uy/sitio/historia/boiso-lanza-y-la-historia-innombrable/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=El Día |language=es |archive-date=2022-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928183027/https://diarioeldia.uy/sitio/historia/boiso-lanza-y-la-historia-innombrable/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lessa |first=Alfonso |title=Estado de Guerra - de la gestación del golpe del 73 a la caída de Bordaberry |publisher=Editorial Fin de Siglo |year=1996 |isbn=9974-49-072-3}}</ref>

During this period of time, the Uruguayan Air Force took control of the country's airdromes, some aircraft that were seized from the subversion, appointed some of its general officers to led the flag carrier [[PLUNA]] and modernized its combat fleet with Cessna A-37B-CE Dragonfly and FMA IA-58A Pucará attack aircraft in 1976 and 1981.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (1953 - 2003) |page=346 |language=es}}</ref> The cargo fleet was also renewed, with the purchase of five Embraer C-95 Bandeirante in 1975 and five CASA C-212 Aviocar in 1981. One brand new Gates Learjet 35A was also purchased in 1981, which was one of the only two military transport jet aircraft, being the last one a C-29 that was introduced in 2018, and sold in 2020.

In 1981 two brand new Bell 212 helicopters were also purchased.

The Uruguayan Air Force achieved another milestone, with the first landing of a Uruguayan aircraft in Antarctica, on January 28, 1984, with an [[Fairchild F-27|Fairchild-Hiller FH-227D]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia antártica de Uruguay |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-defensa-nacional/politicas-y-gestion/historia-antartica-uruguay |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Ministerio de Defensa Nacional |language=es}}</ref>

Since the end of the military government, the Air Force has returned to its normal tasks, and always acting under the command of the President and in agreement with the Minister of National Defense, without having entered the country's politics again, whose participation, in addition, has been forbidden  in almost all activities for the Armed Forces.

Between 1992 and 1999 a total number of 36 aircraft were acquired, including the first four-engined and biggest aircraft in Uruguayan Air Force history, three [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed C-130B Hercules]] to carry out long-range strategic missions and six [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7U Turbo Trainers]] for advanced training in 1992, replacing the aging fleet of [[Beechcraft T-34 Mentor]]s that were in service since 1977.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fuerza Aérea inició la renovación de su equipamiento, con la llegada del primero de los dos Hércules comprados a España |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-defensa-nacional/comunicacion/noticias/fuerza-aerea-inicio-renovacion-su-equipamiento-llegada-del-primero-dos |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Ministerio de Defensa Nacional |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=airpressman |date=2021-04-05 |title=Turbos & pistón: El Texan II visita Uruguay. |url=https://airpressman.com/es/the-day-the-texan-ii-visited-uruguay/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Airpressman |language=es-ES}}</ref> Two [[Beechcraft Baron|Beechcraft Baron 58]] and ten [[Cessna 206|Cessna U-206H Stationair]] were purchased in 1998, with [[Uruguay]] becoming the first operator of the H variant of the [[Cessna 206]], using them for transport, training and surveillance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=20 años de Servicio del U-206H "Stationair" |url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/noticias/339-20-anos-de-servicio-del-u-206h-stationair.html |website=Uruguayan Air Force |language=Spanish}}</ref> Two [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Eurocopter AS365N2 Dauphin]] for [[search and rescue]] and VIP transport missions were also purchased during 1998, followed by 13 Aermacchi T-260EU in 1999, a new basic trainer for the Military School of Aeronautics (''Escuela Militar de Aeronáutica'') in [[Pando, Uruguay|Pando]], [[Canelones Department|Canelones]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorias del Tiempo de Vuelo / Aermacchi SF-260EU |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/sf260test.htm |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.pilotoviejo.com}}</ref> On April 27, 1994, through Decree No. 177/994 of the Executive Power, a new structure was approved, and the Tactical Regiments and Aviation Groups disappeared to become Air Squadrons, leading to the actual organization of the Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto N° 177/994 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos/177-1994/1 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.impo.com.uy}}</ref>

== Present state of the Air Force ==
While the long-range strategic cargo fleet of Lockheed C-130B Hercules was replaced with two Lockheed KC-130H Hercules, that also became the first aerial refueling capable aircraft of the Uruguayan Air Force in 2020,<ref name="130H"/> from the 1990s onwards, various attempts have been made to renew the combat aircraft to no avail, with the T-33A being withdrawn from service in 1996 and the Air Squadron No. 2 (Fighters) suffering two fatal accidents on January 31, 2004<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grupo 180 |title=Justicia indaga responsabilidad de Defensa en accidente aéreo de 2004 |url=https://www.180.com.uy/articulo/3999_Indagan-accidente-aereo-de-2004 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=www.180.com.uy |language=es-UY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=INFORME FINAL DEL ACCIDENTE DEL CESSNA A-37 |url=http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/noticias/archivo/2004/marzo/2004032605.htm |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=archivo.presidencia.gub.uy}}</ref> and August 12, 2016, with A-37B aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Observador |first=El |title=Pilotos mueren en accidente aéreo |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/pilotos-mueren-en-accidente-aereo-2016813500 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=El Observador}}</ref> The obsolescence of the aircraft with which the unit is currently equipped has left the Uruguayan Air Force out of step with the technological advances that [[aerial warfare]] was acquiring through the experiences of conflicts during the late 20th century and during the 21st century, which, however, has not prevented the squadron and the Air Force itself from successfully participating in joint exercises between various Air Forces in the [[South America|region]], such as [[South America air forces maneuvers|CRUZEX]] in [[Brazil]] or [[South America air forces maneuvers|SALITRE]] in [[Chile]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=100% Effectiveness Against Targets Assigned in Exercise "CRUZEX 2018" (Uruguayan Air Force Website) |url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/noticias/314-100-de-efectividad-en-el-abatimiento-de-los-blancos-asignados-en-el-ejercicio-34-cruzex-2018-34.html |language=Spanish}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-01 |title=Preview Salitre 2014 |url=https://www.gacetaeronautica.com/gaceta/wp-101/?p=10641 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Gaceta Aeronautica |language=es}}</ref>

In May 2013 eighteen refurbished [[Sukhoi Su-30]] MkI were offered by the Russian Federation and [[Sukhoi]] in remarkably favorable conditions that included credit facilities and an agreement branch for maintenance. These conditions were also offered for the [[Yak-130]] Mitten. By December 2013 Uruguayan personnel had test flown this plane in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maquina-de-combate.com/blog/?p=33894|title=La Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya evalúa el jet de entrenamiento YAK-130 en Rusia|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=December 21, 2014|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112202400/http://maquina-de-combate.com/blog/?p=33894|archive-date=November 12, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> According to Scramble a number of [[Cessna A-37 Dragonfly|A-37B Dragonfly]] were purchased from the [[Ecuadorian Air Force]] in January 2014. Also, the Uruguayan and Swiss governments discussed a possible agreement for the purchase of ten [[Swiss Air Force]] [[Northrop F-5]] plus engines, spare parts and training, but no actual progress was made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fdra-aereo.blogspot.com/2014/08/f-5-suizos-uruguay.html|title=F-5 suizos a Uruguay|date=August 21, 2014|access-date=December 21, 2014|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100207/http://fdra-aereo.blogspot.com/2014/08/f-5-suizos-uruguay.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The Uruguayan Air Force also used to show interest on the IA-58D Pucará Delta modernization program offered by [[Fábrica Argentina de Aviones]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sur1810.com/nota/11013/argentina_y_uruguay_estudiaron_la_modernizacion_de_los_aviones_ia_58_pucara|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141221214947/http://sur1810.com/nota/11013/argentina_y_uruguay_estudiaron_la_modernizacion_de_los_aviones_ia_58_pucara|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2014|title=Argentina y Uruguay estudiaron la modernización de los aviones IA-58 Pucará|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=December 21, 2014|language=es}}/</ref> but more recently, among some of the possible aircraft that the Air Force was considering, there are the [[Hongdu JL-10]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damas |first=Diego Obiol |date=2016-11-15 |title=Uruguay más cerca del L-15 |url=https://www.avionrevue.com/america/uruguay-mas-cerca-del-l-15/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Avion Revue Internacional |language=es}}</ref> or the [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=AM |first=Radio Montecarlo CX20-930 |title=Uruguay estudia ofertas para la compra de nuevos aviones militares |url=http://www.radiomontecarlo.com.uy/nacionales-gobierno--aviones--militares--menendez/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Radio Montecarlo CX20-930 AM |language=es}}</ref> but despite how necessary its renewal is, no purchases has been made.

== Aerodromes and air bases ==
*[[File:Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya Ruta 101 - panoramio (2).jpg|thumb|I Air Brigade, Canelones.]]SUDU - Tte. 2nd Mario W. Parallada, Santa Bernardina, Durazno
* SUMU - Air Brigade I, Carrasco International Airport "Gral. Cesáreo L. Berisso"
* SUBL - Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza
* SUGA - General Air Base Artigas
* SUCL - La Calera
* SUCR - La Carolina
* SULP - La Paloma

==Organization==
Today{{when|date=September 2014}} the FAU comprises about 3000 personnel organized into three brigades and various support groups.
:'''Air Brigade I''' was founded as Nº1 Aeronautics on 1 April 1936. It originally consisted of eight Potez XXV biplanes. Today, the brigade includes the Central Office for Assistance and the Carrasco Central Coordinator for Rescue. It also includes
::Nº3 Squadron (Transport) and
::Nº5 Squadron (Helicopters). [[File:DF-ST-91-05339.JPEG|thumb|A Uruguayan tactical air controller, keeps watch over a [[USAF]] OA-37 during a training exercise]]
:'''Air Brigade II''' includes
::Nº1 Squadron (Attack),
::Nº2 Squadron (Fighters),
::the Advanced Flight Squadron, and
::the Liaison Squadron. <!--including some U-17A Skywagons and a Piper PA-18s-->
:'''Air Brigade III''' includes
::Nº7 Squadron (Observation & Liaison).

The Uruguayan Air Force also includes Service divisions for Logistics, Communications and Computer Science, Information, Infrastructure, Maintenance, Meteorology, Health, Remote Aerospace Sensors, and Transport. The FAU is involved in search and rescue, disaster assistance, and transportation to remote locations within the country.

The Uruguayan Air Force currently has five bases. Air Brigade I is based at Gen. Cesáreo L. Berisso Air Base at [[Carrasco International Airport]] ([[List of airports by ICAO code: S#SU - Uruguay|SUMU]]) near Carrasco; Air Brigade II is based at 2nd Lt. Mario W. Parrallada Air Base at [[Santa Bernardina International Airport]] ([[List of airports by ICAO code: S#SU - Uruguay|SUDU]]) in [[Durazno]]; Air Brigade III, the high command, and the Command School ({{lang|es|Escuela de Comando y Estado Mayor Aéreo}}) are based at [[Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base|Capitán Boiso Lanza Air Base]] ([[List of airports by ICAO code: S#SU - Uruguay|SUBL]]) in Montevideo; Air Squadron 7 is based at [[Ángel S. Adami Airport]] ([[List of airports by ICAO code: S#SU - Uruguay|SUAA]]), also in Montevideo; and the EMA is based at Gen. [[Artigas Airport|Artigas Air Base]] ([[List of airports by ICAO code: S#SU - Uruguay|SUAG]]) in [[Pando, Uruguay|Pando]].<ref>Aeroflight, (2008). ''[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/uruguay/Uruguay-af-bases.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207004041/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/uruguay/Uruguay-af-bases.htm|date=2008-12-07}}''. Retrieved 2 October 2008.</ref>

The Aeronautics Technical School ({{lang|es|Escuela Técnica de Aeronáutica}}) is located in Toledo Sur in the Department of Canelones.<ref>Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya, (2008). ''[http://www.fuerzaaereauruguaya.com/escuelas.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015082756/http://www.fuerzaaereauruguaya.com/escuelas.html|date=2008-10-15}}''. Retrieved 2 October 2008.</ref>

=== List of inspector generals and commanders-in-chief ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |Inspectors Generals<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2007-06-06 |title=INSPECTORES GENERALES Y COMANDANTES EN JEFE DESDE LA CREACIÓN DE LA FUERZA AÉREA URUGUAYA |url=http://fau.gub.uy/organizacion/comando/relacion_ctes_jefe/relac_1.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606235746/http://fau.gub.uy/organizacion/comando/relacion_ctes_jefe/relac_1.htm |archive-date=2007-06-06  |access-date=2022-09-24 }}</ref>
|-
|'''No.'''
|'''Inspector General of the Uruguayan Air Force'''
|'''Took office'''
|'''Left office'''
|-
|1
|[[Medardo R. Farías|Medardo Farías]]
|1953
|1955
|-
|2
|[[Hernán Barú]]
|1955
|1957
|-
|3
|[[Gualberto Trelles]]
|1957
|1959
|-
|4
|[[Conrado Sáez]]
|1959
|1966
|-
|5
|[[Remo Laporta]]
|1966
|1967
|-
|6
|[[Danilo Sena]]
|1967
|1969
|-
! colspan="4" |Commanders-in-Chief<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Maruri |first=Juan |title=Historia de la Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya |isbn=978-9974-7971-8-5 |volume=3 |location=Montevideo, Uruguay |pages=860 |language=es}}</ref>
|-
|'''No.'''
|'''Commander-in-Chief of the Uruguayan Air Force'''
|'''Took office'''
|'''Left office'''
|-
|1
|[[Danilo Sena]]
|1970
|1970
|-
|2
|[[José Pérez Caldas]]
|1970
|1974
|-
|3
|[[Dante Paladini]]
|1974
|1978
|-
|4
|[[Rául Bendahan]]
|1978
|1981
|-
|5
|[[José D. Cardozo]]
|1981
|1982
|-
|6
|[[Manuel E. Buadas]]
|1982
|1985
|-
|7
|[[Fernando Arbe]]
|1985
|1990
|-
|8
|[[Julio Loureiro]]
|1990
|1990
|-
|9
|[[Carlos P. Pache]]
|1990
|1994
|-
|10
|[[Raúl Sampedro]]
|1994
|1995
|-
|11
|[[Miguel A. Suñol]]
|1995
|1999
|-
|12
|[[José Pedro Malaquín]]
|1999
|2004
|-
|13
|[[Enrique Bonelli]]
|2004
|2009
|-
|14
|[[José R. Bonilla]]
|2009
|2010
|-
|15
|[[Washington Martínez]]
|2010
|2015
|-
|16
|[[Alberto Zanelli]]
|2015
|2019
|-
|17
|[[Hugo Marenco]]
|2019
|2020
|-
|18
|[[Luis Heber de León]]
|2020
|Present
|}

==Aircraft==
{{see also|List of military aircraft of Uruguay}}
=== Current inventory ===
[[File:Uruguayan Air Force Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly (318E) Lofting.jpg|thumb|right|An Uruguayan A-37 in flight]]
[[File:Bell212 Twin Huey 02 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|Bell 212]] flies over head]]
[[File:N 206-08008).jpg|thumb|Uruguayan Air Force Cessna U-206H Stationair]]

{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano|A-29 Super Tucano]]
|[[Brazil]]
|[[Attack aircraft|Attack]]
|
|
|6 on order<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/uruguay-to-become-sixth-south-american-super-tucano-user/159721.article |publisher = Flightglobal |access-date=19 October 2024|date=27 August 2024|title=Uruguay to become sixth South American Super Tucano user| first=Greg |last=Waldron}}</ref>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
|[[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130 Hercules]]
|[[United States]]
|[[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|[[Lockheed Martin KC-130|KC-130H]]
|2<ref name="World Air Forces 2023">{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title = World Air Forces 2023|publisher= Flightglobal Insight|year= 2023 |doi = |accessdate= 14 February 2023|url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/premium-uruguay-puts-kc-130h-use/|title=Uruguay puts KC-130H to use|date=2021-01-29|first=Wilder Alejandro|last=Sanchez|access-date=2021-12-27|work=Shephard Media}}</ref>
|Formerly operated by [[Spain]]<ref name="130H">{{cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/12/uruguay-received-2-lockheed-kc-130h-formerly-operated-by-spain/|title=Uruguay Received 2 Lockheed KC-130H Formerly Operated by Spain|first=Gastón|last=Dubois|date=2020-12-20|access-date=2021-12-27|work=aviacionline}}</ref>
|-
|[[CASA C-212 Aviocar|CASA C-212]]
|[[Spain]]
|Transport
|[[CASA C-212 Aviocar#Variants|200 / 300]]
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|Four provide [[Maritime patrol aircraft|maritime patrol]]
|-
|[[Beechcraft Baron]]
|United States
|[[Utility aircraft|Utility]] 
|[[Beechcraft Baron#Variants|55 / 58]]
|1 / 2<ref>For Baron 55, see {{cite web|url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/articulos/97-beechcraft-ub-55-34-baron-34.html|access-date=3 June 2020|date=20 August 2018|website=fau.mil.uy|title=Beechcraft UB-55 "Baron"|language=es}}<br> For Baron 58, see {{cite web|url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/articulos/107-beechcraft-ub-58-34-baron-34.html|access-date=3 June 2020|date=20 August 2018|website=fau.mil.uy|language=es|title=Beechcraft UB-58 "Baron"}}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
|[[Cessna 206]]
|United States
|Light transport
|U-206H
|6<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/articulos/86-cessna-u-206-h-34-stationair-34.html|access-date=3 June 2020|date=4 February 2018|website=fau.mil.uy|language=es|title=Cessna U-206 H "Stationair"}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia|Embraer EMB 120]]
|Brazil
|Utility / [[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP]]
|
|2<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLanahan |date=2024-04-03 |title=Uruguay gets second Brasilia |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/uruguay-gets-second-brasilia |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.scramble.nl |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|[[Presidential air transport of Uruguay|Presidential aircraft]]
|-
|[[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante|Embraer EMB 110]]
|Brazil
|Transport / Utility
|
|1<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rivas |first=Santiago |date=2025-09-26 |title=A 50 años de la primera exportación de Embraer: Bandeirantes con destino a Uruguay |url=https://www.pucara.org/post/a-50-a%C3%B1os-de-la-primera-exportaci%C3%B3n-de-embraer-bandeirantes-con-destino-a-uruguay |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Pucará Defensa |language=es}}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|Remains in storage awaiting major overhaul
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
|[[Bell 212]]
|United States
|[[Utility helicopter|Utility]] 
|
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1]]
|United States
|Utility 
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|UH-1H]]
|3<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin|Eurocopter AS365]]
|[[France]]
|[[Search and rescue|SAR]] / Utility
| 
|2<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|Also used for presidential transport<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fau.mil.uy/es/articulos/91-airbus-as-365-34-dauphin-34.html |title= Airbus AS-365 "Dauphin" |publisher= fau.mil.uy |date=|accessdate=2 June 2020|language=es}}</ref>
|-
|[[Bell 206]]
|[[USA]]
|Training
| 
|3<ref>https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5455527/tribunal-cuentas-uruguay-da-visto-bueno-adquisicion-tres-bell-206-permuta</ref>
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
|[[Pilatus PC-7]]
|[[Switzerland]]
|[[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]]
| 
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
|[[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260]]
|[[Italy]]
|Trainer 
|
|10<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|}

==Rank structure==
{{see also|Ranks of the Armed Forces of Uruguay}}
===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Uruguay}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Uruguay}}
|}

== Accidents and incidents ==
[[File:FokkerAnde1972.jpg|thumb|FAU 571 (FH-227), the aircraft involved in Flight 571]]
The following is a list of air accidents involving the Uruguayan Air Force.

* On October 13, 1972, the [[Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571|Flight 571]] of TAMU an FH-227D, registered as ''FAU 571'', which was carrying a group of rugby players Uruguayans Old Christians, made up of alumni of the school Stella Maris, from Uruguay to Chile, it crashed in the Andes Mountains due to [[Controlled flight into terrain]], ultimately resulting in the deaths of 29 of the 45 people on the plane, including all 5 crew members, leaving only 16 survivors. The survivors were finally rescued on December 23, 1972, after 72 days in the Andes.
* On October 9, 2009, one C-212 Aviocar, registered as ''A-146'' (''FAU 531'') (which was part of the UN MINUSTAH mission) crashed while he was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the south of Haiti, after the air traffic controllers at the base lost all contact with the aircraft, when it was flying over the town of Ganthier. The remains of the Aviocar were located from the air, by another aircraft that was sent after the search and rescue systems were alerted.  11 soldiers died in this accident, six Uruguayans and five Jordanians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lr21.com.uy/politica/412598-falla-humana-provoco-accidente-aereo-en-haiti-en-octubre-de-2009|title="Falla humana" provocó accidente aéreo en Haití en octubre de 2009|date=4 June 2010|access-date=5 June 2020|work=LaRed21|language=es}}</ref>
* On August 12, 2016, a Cessna A-37B with registration "FAU 273" was conducting a training mission when it crashed to the ground from 2,700m, both pilots were killed on the spot. the causes of the accident are still unknown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elacontecer.com.uy/28567-noticia-2016-08-12-noticia-2016-08-12.html|title=Cayo aeronave de la FAU en Durzano: Fallecieron sus dos tripulantes|date=12 August 2016|access-date=5 June 2020|website=Elacontecer.com.uy|language=es}}</ref>
* On August 16, 2016, a UH-1H "Iroquois" helicopter of the Uruguayan Air Force crashed at the Carrasco airport during a training of self- rotation maneuvers where its two crew members subsequently died. The cause of the accident is under investigation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.teledoce.com/telemundo/nacionales/un-helicoptero-de-la-fuerza-aerea-se-cayo-en-el-aeropuerto-de-carrasco-murieron-los-dos-pilotos/|title=Un helicóptero de la Fuerza Aérea se cayó en el Aeropuerto de Carrasco: murieron los dos pilotos|date=16 August 2016|access-date=5 June 2020|work=Telemundo|language=es}}</ref>
*On March 25, 2021, a Uruguayan Air Force helicopter carrying approximately 300 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine suffered a mechanical failure and crashed on the eastern state of Rocha. The 3-member crew was taken to a local hospital with non-serious injuries, however all 300 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were destroyed in the crash.<ref>{{Cite web|last=APA.az|date=2021-03-25|title=Uruguayan Air Force carriying Covid 19 Pfizer vaccines crashed|url=https://apa.az/en/america-news/Uruguayan-Air-Force-carriying-Covid-19-Pfizer-vaccines-crashed-345368|access-date=2021-04-16|website=apa.az|language=az}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Armed Forces of Uruguay]]
* [[History of Uruguay]]
* [[National Navy of Uruguay]], which includes a Naval Aviation contingent
* [[Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* "Shoestring Top Cover...The Uruguayan Air Force". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 39 No. 2, August 1990. pp.&nbsp;65–73.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Air force of Uruguay}}
* [http://www.fau.mil.uy Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya] - Official website (in Spanish)
** [http://www.fau.mil.uy/aeronaves_actuales.html Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya - Aeronaves actuales (accessed 2014-11-22)] (in Spanish)
** [http://www.fau.mil.uy/aeronaves_historicas.html Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya - Aeronaves históricas (accessed 2014-11-22)] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.pilotoviejo.com "Memories from the Age of Flight"] (in Spanish)
* [http://fau510.webs.com/index.htm The Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya in Microsoft Flight Simulator FS2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124004530/http://fau510.webs.com/index.htm |date=2009-11-24 }} (in Spanish)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207004052/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/uruguay/Uruguay-af-home.htm Aeroflight: Uruguay Air Force]

{{Military of Uruguay}}
{{Air forces in Latin America}}
{{Air forces}}

[[Category:Uruguayan Air Force| ]]
[[Category:Military of Uruguay|Air force]]
[[Category:Aviation in Uruguay|Air force]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1935]]