Royal Thai Air Force

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Royal Thai Air Force
กองทัพอากาศไทย
Emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force.svg
Emblem of the Royal Thai Air Force
Founded November 2, 1913; 103 years ago (1913-11-02)
Country Thailand
Allegiance King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
Type Air Force
Size 45,000 Active personnel
288 Aircraft
Part of Royal Thai Armed Forces
HQ Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok
Colours Sky blue
March มาร์ชกองทัพอากาศ
(Royal Thai Air Force March)
Anniversaries 9 April 1937
(Royal Thai Air Force Day)
Engagements World War I
Franco-Thai War
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Vietnamese border raids in Thailand
Thai–Laotian Border War
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungswang
Insignia
Royal Thai Air force Flag Flag of the Royal Thai Air Force.svg
Unit Colour Royal Thai Air Force Unit Colour.svg
Roundel Roundel of the Royal Thai Air Force.svg
Aircraft flown
Attack L-39, Alpha Jet, AU-23
Fighter Gripen, F-16, F-5
Helicopter UH-1, Bell 412, S-92, Eurocopter EC725
Reconnaissance Lear 35A, Arava, Saab 340 AEW&C
Trainer CT/4, PC-9, DA42
Transport C-130, BT-67, Nomad, ATR-72, 737-400/800, A319, A310, RRJ-95LR

The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF (Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย; rtgs: Kong Thap Akat Thai) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913 as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in numerous major and minor battles. During the Vietnam War era, the air force was supplied with USAF-aid equipment.

History[edit]

Main article: Military history of Thailand

In February 1911 the Belgian pilot Charles Van Den Born displayed the first aircraft in Siam at the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course. The Siamese authorities were impressed enough that on 28 February 1912 they dispatched three officers to learn to fly in France, the main centre of aviation development of the time. After learning to fly, the three officers returned to Siam in November 1913 with eight aircraft (four Breguets and four Nieuport IVs). In March of the next year they moved from Sa Pathum airfield to Don Muang.

The Ministry of Defence put the Siamese Flying Corps under the control of the Army Engineer Inspector General Department. Prince Purachatra Jayakara, Commander of the Army Engineers, and his brother Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath were instrumental in the development of the army's Royal Siamese Aeronautical Service to which it was renamed in 1919. In 1937, the service was again renamed when it became an independent service, as the Royal Siamese Air Force, 1939 the country's name was changed to Thailand and force's name became the Royal Thai Air Force.

During the French-Thai War, the Thai Air Force scored several air-to-air-victories against the Vichy Armée de l'Air. During World War II the Thai Air Force supported the Royal Thai Army in its occupation of the Burmese Shan States as allies of the Japanese in 1942 and defended Bangkok from allied air raids during the latter part of the war. Some RTAF personnel assisted the resistance against the Japanese. After World War II, the Thai Air Force sent three C-47s to support the United Nations in Korean War. The victorious Wings Unit, operating the C-47, also joined the US Forces in the Vietnam War. Along the border, the Thai Air Force launched many operations against communist forces, such as Ban Nam Ta Airfield Raid in Laos, and clashes occurred between Thai and Vietnamese troops along the Thai-Cambodian border. When the Cold War ended, the Thai Air Force participated in Operation Border Post 9631 along the Thai-Burmese border in 1999, and launched the evacuation of foreigners during the 2003 Phnom Penh riots in Cambodia.

Command and control[edit]

Regimental colours guard of Thai air cadet, RTAF, in full dress (royal Guard)

The Royal Thai Air Force is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force (ผู้บัญชาการทหารอากาศไทย) currently Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong, who was appointed in 2012.[1] The Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters is located in Don Muang Airbase, Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Treetod Sonjance
  • Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Wattana Maneenai
  • Chairman of the RTAF Advisory Board: Air Chief Marshal Sutthiphan Kritsanakhup
  • Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Twidanes Angsusingha
  • Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Air Chief Marshal Padet Wongpinkaew
  • Chief of Staff of the Air Force: Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungswang

List of Commanders[edit]

Main article: List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Air Force

Organisation[edit]

Royal Thai Air Force is located in Thailand
Hat Yai
Hat Yai
Surat Thani
Surat Thani
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Phitsanulok
Phitsanulok
Kamphang Saen
Kamphang Saen
Khok Ka Thiem
Khok Ka Thiem
Air bases of the Royal Thai Air Force

The RTAF command structure consists of five groups: headquarters, logistics support, education, special services, and combat forces.

  1. The headquarters group in Bangkok performs the usual general staff functions, including planning and directing operations of the combat elements.
  2. Combat Group.
  3. The support group provides engineering, communications, ordnance, transportation, quartermaster, and medical services support.
  4. The education group coordinates and supervises all air force training programmes.
  5. The special service group is responsible for the welfare of air force personnel and coordinates the activities of Thai civil aviation with those of the air force.

Bases[edit]

The Royal Thai Air Force maintains a number of modern bases which were constructed between 1954 and 1968, have permanent buildings and ground support equipment.

All but one were built and used by United States forces until their withdrawal from Thailand in 1976 when Thai air force assumed use of the installations at Takhli and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). In the late 1980s, these bases and Don Muang Air Base outside Bangkok, which the air force shares with civil aviation, remain the primary operational installations.

Maintenance of base facilities abandoned by the United States proved costly and exceeded Thai needs. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for training and emergency use.

By 2004 the Royal Thai Air Force had its main base at Don Muang airport, adjacent to Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF also had large air fields and facilities at Nakon Ratchasima Ubon Ratchathani, and Takhli.

Squadrons[edit]

The following squadrons are currently active with the Royal Thai Air Force.[citation needed]

An F-5E with the 904 Aggressor Squadron
A Basler BT-67 cargo airlifter
Squadron Equipment Wing RTAF Base Notes
102 Fighter Sqn F-16A/B ADF Wing 1 Korat
103 Fighter Sqn F-16A/B Wing 1 Korat
201 Helicopter Sqn Bell 412, S-92 Wing 2 Khok Ka Thiem Royal Guard
203 Helicopter Sqn UH-1H Wing 2 Khok Ka Thiem SAR detachments at many locations.
To be replaced by EC 725 [2]
401 Light Attack Sqn L-39 Wing 4 Takhli To be replaced by T-50[3]
402 Elint Sqn Learjet 35, IAI Arava Wing 4 Takhli
403 Fighter Sqn F-16AM/BM, F-16eMLU Wing 4 Takhli
501 Light Attack Sqn Fairchild AU-23 Wing 5 Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
601 Transport Sqn C-130H/H-30 Wing 6 Don Muang
602 Royal Flight Sqn A319, B737 Wing 6 Don Muang Royal Guard
603 Transport Squadron ATR72 Wing 6 Don Muang
604 Civil Pilot Training Sqn PAC CT-4A, T-41D Wing 6 Don Muang
701 Fighter Sqn JAS-39 Gripen C/D Wing 7 Surat Thani Total 12 Gripens delivered (4 Gripen D and 8 Gripen C),[4] replacing F-5E/F. [5] [1]
702 Sqn Saab 340, S-100B Argus Wing 7 Surat Thani Saab 340 70201 and S-100B Argus AEW 70202[6]
211 Fighter Sqn F-5T Tigris Wing 21 Ubon
231 Attack Sqn Alpha Jet Wing 23 Udorn
411 Fighter Sqn L-39 Wing 41 Chiang Mai
461 Transport Sqn GAF Nomad, Basler BT-67 Wing 46 Phitsanulok Also conducts rainmaking flights.
561 Fighter Sqns - Wing 56 Hat Yai Forward operating base for 701 Fighter Sqn.
904 Aggressor Sqn F-5E - Don Muang Former unit of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn Mahidol.
1st Flying Training Sqn PAC CT/4E Flying Training School Kamphang Saen Primary flight training.
2nd Flying Training Sqn Pilatus PC-9M Flying Training School Kamphang Saen Basic flight training.
3rd Flying Training Sqn Bell 206B (withdrawn 2006) Flying Training School Kamphang Saen Helicopter training.

Royal Thai Air Force Commando Company[edit]

Main article: Royal Thai Air Force Commando Company

This 100 man unit, part of the Royal Thai Air Force's Special Combat Operations Squadron, was formed in the late 1970s and are based near Don Muang Airport and provide anti-hijacking capabilities. They have three assault platoons, each divided into two sections.

Wings[edit]

Royal Thai Air Force frontline fighter, Saab JAS 39 Gripen

The Royal Thai Air Force Combat Group is divided into 11 wings plus a training school, plus a few direct-reporting units.

  • Directorate of Air Operations Control, RTAF
  • RTAF Security Force Command
  • Flying Training School
composed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Flying Training Squadrons. Based at RTAFB Kamphang Saen in Nakhon Pathom Province
  • Wing 1
Interceptor and fighter wing based at RTAFB Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
  • Wing 2
Helicopter wing providing utility/transport and search and rescue. Normally based at RTAFB Lopburi in Lopburi Province
  • Wing 4
Light attack / Interceptor wing based at RTAFB Takhli in Nakhon Sawan Province.
  • Wing 5
SAAB 340/AEW of the Royal Thai Air Force.
Transport and special mission wing based at RTAFB Prachuap Khiri Khan in Ao Manao, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
  • Wing 6
Multi-role non-combat wing providing transport, mapping, communications and surveying. Based at RTAFB Don Muang/Bangkok.
  • Wing 7
Interceptor and fighter wing based at RTAFB Surat Thani in Surat Thani Province. The wing is nicknamed, "Ferocious Shark of the Andaman" as well as "House of Gripen" as they fly Gripen aircraft.[7]
  • Wing 21
Fighter and attack wing based at RTAFB Ubon Ratchathani in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
  • Wing 23
Light attack wing based at RTAFB Udon in Udon Thani Province.
  • Wing 41
Light attack wing based at RTAFB Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai Province.
  • Wing 46
Transport/rainmaking wing based at RTAFB Phitsanulok in Phitsanulok Province.
  • Wing 56
Frontal operating base at RTAFB Hat Yai in Songkhla Province.

Rank structure[edit]

Main article: Military ranks of the Thai armed forces
Equivalent
NATO Code		 OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 Cadet Officer
Officer
ranks		 Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice Marshal Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Pilot Officer No Insignia
จอมพลอากาศ พลอากาศเอก พลอากาศโท พลอากาศตรี พลอากาศจัตวา1 นาวาอากาศเอก นาวาอากาศโท นาวาอากาศตรี เรืออากาศเอก เรืออากาศโท เรืออากาศตรี นักเรียนนายเรืออากาศ
Marshal of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice Marshal Air Comodore1 Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer Pilot Officer Air Cadet
Equivalent
NATO Code		 OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Enlisted
ranks		 Special Flight Sergeant 1st Class Flight Sergeant 1st Class Flight Sergeant 2nd Class Flight Sergeant 3rd Class Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman No insignia
พันจ่าอากาศเอกพิเศษ พันจ่าอากาศเอก พันจ่าอากาศโท พันจ่าอากาศตรี จ่าอากาศเอก จ่าอากาศโท จ่าอากาศตรี จ่าอากาศตรีกองประจำการ พลทหาร
'Special'
Flight Sergeant
1st Class		 Flight Sergeant
1st Class		 Flight Sergeant
2nd Class		 Flight Sergeant
3rd Class		 Sergeant Corporal Leading Aircraftman Leading Aircraftman Airman

Aircraft[edit]

Current inventory[edit]

Royal Thai Air Force F-16 descends after being refuelled by a KC-135
A Thai S-92 for the Royal flight
Royal Thai Air Force A319
Royal Diamond DA42 at Khon Kaen
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Northrop F-5 United States fighter F-5E 30[8]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States multirole A OCU / ADF 38[9] / 13 [9]
JAS 39 Gripen Sweden multirole JAS 39C 8[8]
Alpha Jet France / Germany light attack 8[8]
AEW&C
Saab 340 AEW&C Sweden early warning and control S 100B 2[8] aircraft mounted with a Erieye radar
Reconnaissance
Piaggio P.180 Italy reconnaissance 1[8]
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP 1[10]
Airbus A319 France VIP A319CJ 1[11]
Basler BT-67 United States transport 7[8] modified Douglas DC-3 with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130H 12[8]
Super King Air United States utility transport 90 1[8]
Saab 340 Sweden transport 2[8]
Pilatus PC-6 Switzerland transport 16[8]
Helicopters
Sikorsky S-92 United States VIP / Med Evac 3[12]
Eurocopter EC 725 France CSAR / utility 4 4 on order[8]
Bell UH-1 United States SAR / utility UH-1H 17[8]
Bell 412 United States utility 8[8]
Trainer Aircraft
Northrop F-5 United States conversion trainer F-5B/F 4[8]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States conversion trainer F-16B 15[8]
JAS 39 Gripen Sweden conversion trainer JAS 39D 4[8]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic trainer 35[8]
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland trainer 23[8]
Diamond DA42 Austria multi engine trainer 11[8]
KAI T-50 Republic of Korea fighter trainer T-50TH 4 on order[8]
Main article: List of aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force

Armament[edit]

Illustration of an AGM -65 Maverick
Name Origin Type Notes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3 Israel beyond-visual-range missile 120 obtained[13]
AIM-120C AMRAAM United States beyond-visual-range missile initial 50 missiles[13]
AIM-9E/J/P Sidewinder United States short range infrared homing missile 600 missiles obtained[13]
IRIS-T Germany short range infrared homing missile 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor[13]
Air-to-surface missile
AGM-65D/G Maverick United States infrared imaging AGM 200 missiles obtained[13]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ "ѧѺѭдѺ٧ͧͧѾҡ". Retrieved 24 December 2014. 
  2. ^ http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/thailand-orders-eurocopters-ec725-for-sar-missions-07542/
  3. ^ https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/09/116_187047.html
  4. ^ http://saab.com/air/gripen-fighter-system/gripen/gripen/users-gripen/
  5. ^ "THAI GRIPEN: GUARDIANS OF THE SKIES". October 31, 2015. 
  6. ^ Reed Business Information Limited. "SINGAPORE: Saab looks for additional Thai Gripen sale". Retrieved 24 December 2014. 
  7. ^ Nanuam, Wassana (2016-02-11). "Air force readies to go digital". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 February 2016. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "World Air Forces 2017". Flightglobal Insight. 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016. 
  9. ^ a b "Royal Thai Air Force F-16s Database". f-16.net. 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015. 
  10. ^ "Royal Thai Air Force B737". airfleets.net. Retrieved 20 June 2015. 
  11. ^ "A319 for VIPs". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015. 
  12. ^ "Thai military gets new S-92, Mi-17 helicopters". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015. 
  13. ^ a b c d e Trade Registers. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2015-05-18.
Comments
Bibliography
  • Wieliczko, Leszek A. and Zygmunt Szeremeta. Nakajima Ki 27 Nate (bilingual Polish/English). Lublin, Poland: Kagero, 2004. ISBN 83-89088-51-7.

External links[edit]

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