Mexican Naval Aviation

The Mexican Naval Aviation (Spanish: Fuerza AeroNaval ) or FAN literally meaning Naval Air Force, is the naval air arm of the Mexican Navy. The Mexican Navy is divided into two naval fleets: Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

History
Naval aviation for Mexico dates back its roots all the way to 1918, when an indigenous made float biplane was successfully tested at the Port of Veracruz, the aircraft was flown by Carlos Santa Ana. In the year 1926 a squadron of float planes were designed and made for the Mexican Navy, but without personnel. Carlos Castillo Breton, became the very first Naval pilot in 1927 after training in The U.S. and in Mexico. Between 1927 to 1943, some aircraft were acquired, with a total of seven naval officers gaining their wings, although some of these joined the Mexican Air Force. World War II saw the creation of the Naval Aviation school in 1943 at Las Bajadas, Veracruz. These were also ex-FAM aircraft, used to patrol the Gulf of Mexico for German submarines and were later used for training at the Naval Aviation School.

Years after the war, the role of Mexican Naval Aviation were assigned as supporting the ground and sea naval units in Search & Rescue, coastal patrol and assistance to the general population in case of emergencies or disasters.

Times of Modernization
In the nineties, the Mexican navy started to acquire Russian built aircraft and helicopters like the Mil Mi-2, Mil Mi-8 and Antonov An-32B, also purchasing French, U.S. and German made helicopters and even Finnish built L-90 Redigo. In 1999, the Mexican navy started a programme to build kit planes and light helicopters at Las Bajadas, Veracruz.

As of 2001, Mexican naval aviation reported to have 118 aircraft, of which 68 are fixed wing in 9 squadrons and 50 helicopters in 9 squadrons, either in land bases or assigned on board of ocean patrol boats and frigates.

More recent purchases to the fleet were three ex-IDF/AF E-2C Hawkeyes, the first arriving in early July 2004. At the end of the same month, the first two EADS upgraded C212-200 Aviocars flew back to Mexico, with the remainder six being upgraded at BAN Las Bajadas. The most recent purchase are two AS565 Panthers. These helicopters will perform shipborne duties.

Structure
The factor of the country's geographical position, requires the deployment of units and aircraft facilities, allowing The Mexican Navy to exercise its naval power.

Gulf of Mexico Naval Air Force - HQ in Tuxpan, Veracruz


 * Tampico Naval Air Base, Tampico
 * 1st Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mil Mi-17, Lancair IV-P
 * 1st Shipborne Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating AS565 MB, Bo 105CBS-5, MD902
 * Las Bajadas Naval Air Base, Veracruz
 * 1st Maritime Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating CASA C-212PM
 * 1st Early Warning and Reconnaissance Naval Air Squadron - operating E-2C Hawkeye 2000
 * Naval Aviation School - operating MD 500, Robinson R22, Schweizer 300, Zlín Z 42
 * Campeche Naval Air Base, Campeche
 * 5th Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8
 * 1st Interception and Reconnaissance Naval Air Squadron - operating L-90TP, Sabre 60
 * Chetumal Naval Air Base, Chetumal
 * 1st Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Lancair Super ES, MX-7-180A, RC695
 * 3rd Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8

Pacific Naval Air Force - HQ in Manzanillo, Colima
 * Guaymas Naval Air Base, Guaymas
 * 1st Interception and Reconnaissance Naval Air Squadron - operating L-90TP, MX-7-180A
 * La Paz Naval Air Base, La Paz
 * 2nd Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating RC695, Lancair IV-P
 * 2nd Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8
 * 2nd Shipborne Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Bo 105CBS-5
 * 2nd Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating An-32B
 * Lázaro Cárdenas Naval Air Base, Lázaro Cárdenas
 * 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF, Mi-2
 * Acapulco Naval Air Base, Acapulco
 * 2nd Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF, Mi-2
 * Salina Cruz Naval Air Base, Salina Cruz
 * 1st Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron - operating AS555 AF, Mi-2
 * Tapachula Naval Air Base, Tapachula
 * 4th Patrol Naval Air Squadron - operating Mi-8
 * 4th Air Mobility, Observation and Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating MX-7-180A, Super Lancair ES

Mexico City Naval Air Base
 * 1st Transport Naval Air Squadron - operating Gulfstream G450, Learjet 25, Learjet 31, Learjet 60, DHC-8-Q202

Current aircraft
The aircraft quantities are approximate, and estimated to be 68 airplanes and 57 helicopters.