Airforces Monthly - February 2017

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FORCE REPORT Uruguayan Air Force THE FUERZA Aérea Uruguaya (FAU, Uruguayan Air Force) has long been an operator of the FMA IA-58 Pucará, one of the few aircraft specifically designed for the counter-insurgency mission. Now, after more than 35 years of service, the Argentinean type — which carries the Uruguayan military designation A-58 — is reaching the end of its career with the FAU’s Escuadrón Aéreo No 1 (Ataque) of Brigada Aérea II at Durazno. Arriving at Durazno in May 1981, the first six Pucarás replaced Uruguay’s ageing North American T-6 Texans and were immediately pressed into the counter-insurgency and close air support (CAS) roles. By that time, the Uruguayan Tupamaros guerrillas had already been defeated, but the government wanted an effective platform to help ensure they would not return. The Pucarás first joined Grupo de Aviación No 1 (Ataque), as it was known until June 31, 1995, and the initial aircraft received the serials FAU 220 to FAU 225. Despite ambitions to increase the fleet size to ten, it was not until the loss of FAU 225 in an accident that FAU 227 was taken on as an attrition replacement in 1999. It’s worth noting that the FAU 226 serial had been allocated to two different aircraft loaned from the Argentine Air Force. These were serial A-574, borrowed from 1998 to 2000, and later A-571, loaned from 2002 to 2003. In 2009, Colombia delivered three more for use as spares sources. From the very start, the Uruguayan Pucará squadron has maintained a close relationship with its counterpart in Argentina — Grupo 3 de Ataque of III Brigada Aérea — which has frequently collaborated with Uruguay on technical support, training and the interchange of personnel. Pucará attributes Despite close ties with Argentina, Uruguay chose a different approach when arming its Pucará fleet: first with 500lb bombs that remained in stock from the days of the P-51D Mustang, and later with more modern US weapons such as 500lb Mk82 and 250lb Mk83 bombs, some fitted with Snakeye retarding kits. Uruguay’s Pucarás have been equipped with seven-shot LAU-68 launchers for 70mm (2.75in)-calibre rockets, plus a special rack for flares for night illumination. The aircraft have had minor modifications, The business end of the Pucará. Pictured in 2016, FAU 227 is the sole surviving Uruguayan example. All photos Katsuhiko Tokunaga/DACT 44 FEBRUARY <strong>2017</strong> #347 www.airforcesmonthly.com
‘In association with…’ Final Fling For the Uruguayan Pucará The Uruguayan Air Force’s Pucará fleet is close to the end of its operational life, with final retirement planned for March. Santiago Rivas discovers how Escuadrón Aéreo No 1 has maintained its mission to protect Uruguayan skies with this robust performer. www.airforcesmonthly.com #347 FEBRUARY <strong>2017</strong> 45
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Airforces Monthly - February 2017

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