ARGENTINE REPUBLIC
 


 
FLAGS OF THE AIR FORCE  •  CIRCA 1960
 
In the decade after the end of the Second World War, the Argentinean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina or FAA) became the first Latin American air arm to operate jet-propelled aircraft in the form of the British Meteor F.4. fighter. These were later replaced by US F-86F Saber fighters. The FAA also acquired a strategic bombing capability in the form of ex-RAF Lancaster and Lincoln heavy bombers. These were later replaced by British Canberra jet bombers. A modernization program began in the late 1960s, the FAA acquiring various derivatives of the French Mirage fighter-bomber, the US A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft and the C-130 transport. Though the development of an indigenous jet fighter proved abortive, the IA 58 Pucará, a twin-turboprop light attack aircraft, was developed in the early 1970s and produced in substantial numbers.
The positional and command flags of the Cold War-era FAA were of simple design based on the national colors: sky blue and white. There was no air force flag or ensign, the national flag, in 1:2 proportions, serving as such. FAA flags could be divided into four categories: those for senior appointments, those for operational commands, those for operational formations and those for training establishments. There were four operational commands, each controlling a number of air brigades. These air brigades embodied three groups: an air group, which controlled the flying squadrons, a technical group responsible for aircraft servicing and maintenance, and a base group responsible for airfield facilities, services and security. An air group (Grupo Aéreo) was either titled as such or, if all its flying squadrons were of the same type, was so titled, e.g. Fighter Group (Grupo de Caza). See also Army Flags of Argentina: Cold War Era.
Flag Proportions: Flags of the Argentine Air Force were proportioned 1:2.

 

NATIONAL FLAG & WAR FLAG

 

HIGH COMMAND

 

AIR MINISTER

 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF & CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AIR FORCE

 

DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF AIR ESTABLISHMENTS

 

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL OF THE AIR FORCE

 

OPERATIONAL COMMANDS

 

COMMANDING OFFICER  •  AIR DEFENSE

 

COMMANDING OFFICER  •  STRATEGIC AIR FORCE

 

COMMANDING OFFICER  •  TACTICAL AIR FORCE

 

COMMANDING OFFICER  •  AIR TRANSPORT

 

OPERATIONAL FORMATIONS

 

OFFICER COMMANDING  •  II AIR BRIGADE

 

OFFICER COMMANDING  •  1st FIGHTER GROUP

 

OFFICER COMMANDING  •  2nd TECHNICAL GROUP

 

OFFICER COMMANDING  •  3rd BASE GROUP

 

AIR FORCE SCHOOLS & TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS

 

DIRECTOR OF THE AIR FORCE COLLEGE
 

 

DIRECTOR OF AN AIR FORCE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT
 



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