Royal Cambodian Air Force

Royal Cambodian Air Force កងទ័ពឤកាសខេមរភូមិន្ទ Kangtorp Cheung Akas
Royal Cambodian Air Force wings
Founded	1953
Country	Kingdom of Cambodia
Type	Air Force
Size	2,500 (2010)
Part of	Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Phnom Penh
Motto(s)	Defending the Kingdom of Cambodia
Anniversaries	9 November 1953
Engagements	First Indochina War Cambodian Civil War
Commanders
Current commander	Soeung Samnang
Insignia
Roundel

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.

Organisation

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by Lieutenant General Soeung Samnang, who has four deputy commanders beneath him. The Air Force itself is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence.

Air Force headquarters are located at Phnom Penh International Airport and is still sign posted Pochentong Air Base. The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron. Maintenance of helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Siem Reap International Airport

History

During the early 1990 Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters entered service with the Air Force, as well as Harbin Y-12 and BN-2 Islander transport aircraft. A VIP transport unit was formed in 1995 using the An-24RV and Beech 200 Super King Air. In 2000 a deal was made with Israeli Aircraft Industries to overhaul MIG 21's and which saw the delivery of L-39C Albatross aircraft for lead in trainers and entered service during 1995–2000.

Aircraft serviceability

Only the Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo, Mi-17 and the Harbin Z-9 helicopters are currently serviceable. The VIP fleet of helicopters and passenger aircraft is under the control of the civilian authorities.

Aircraft

Current inventory

A Cambodian Air Force Mil Mi-26T

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Transport
Airbus A320	France	VIP		1[1]
Xian MA60	China	transport	MA60H-500	2[2]
Harbin Y-12	China	transport		1[2]
Britten-Norman BN-2	United Kingdom	utility transport		1[2]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-17	Russia	utility / transport		5[2]
Mil Mi-26	Russia	utility / transport		2[2]
Harbin Z-9	China	utility		11[2]
Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil	France	liaison		1[2]
Eurocopter AS355	France	utility		1[2]

Sport

The force maintains a professional association football team as one of its branches, which formerly played in the C-League.

See also

• Cambodian Civil War
• Khmer National Armed Forces
• Khmer Air Force
• Royal Cambodian Army
• Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
• Royal Cambodian Navy
• Weapons of the Cambodian Civil War

References

1. "Air Force One of Cambodia.". alfredmeier.me. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
2. "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 12". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

• Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 11–17 December 2012, Vol. 182 No. 5370. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
• World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05