Didn’t Argentina and Brazil operate two aircraft carriers? Here at Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52 we delve into the history of Argentine Naval Aviation. This branch is one of the four operational commands of the Argentine Navy. It is officially known as Comando de la Aviación Naval Argentina or COAN.
The history of Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52 dates back to 1912. In that year, Lt Melchor Escola became a navy pilot. The naval air station school Fuerte Barragan was created in 1916. This event is celebrated every year as Naval Aviation Day on February 11. Three naval lieutenants went to the US Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1917. They were later deployed to Europe during World War I.
Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52 was officially established in 1919. It was initially known as the Naval Air Service. Over the years, COAN used different types of aircraft. These were mostly advanced trainers imported from the USA. These included the North American AT-6 and the Consolidated PBY Catalina. Sikorsky S-51 helicopters were added to the service in 1949.
Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52 first experienced combat in 1955. Naval airplanes participated in the bombing of Plaza de Mayo. Three aircraft were shot down. One was downed by an Argentine Air Force Gloster Meteor. The other two fell to anti-aircraft guns.
Navy pilots fought again in 1962-63. This was during internal military conflicts between factions. These groups were known as Azules y colorados. The 1963 Argentine Navy Revolt saw Navy F9F Panthers and F4U Corsairs. They bombed Argentine Army tanks defending the Navy base of Punta Indio.
A significant change occurred when the Navy got its first aircraft carrier in 1959. It was named ARA Independencia. At that time, its aircraft included the F4U Corsair. It also featured SNJ-5Cs Texan and Grumman S2F-1 Trackers. The Navy also had F9F Panther and F9F Cougar jets. However, the carrier could not operate them. The Cougar broke the sound barrier first in Argentina.
The naval training force received T-28 Trojans. It also got T-34 Mentors and Aermacchi MB-326 jets. These were later reinforced with the MB-339. More aircraft were added in the 1960s. These included the C-47 Dakota. Sikorsky S-55 helicopters and P-2 Neptunes were also added. The Neptunes were used for maritime patrol.
In 1969, the Navy acquired its second carrier. It was named ARA 25 de Mayo. During its voyage home, Hawker Siddeley demonstrated its Harrier GR1. However, the Argentines chose the A-4Q Skyhawk. More helicopters were incorporated into the new carrier. These included the Alouette III and the SH-3 Sea King.
In 1972 aircraft changed the word Naval to Armada painted on them.
During the Falklands War, naval aviation faced an arms embargo. The embargo had been in place since 1978. The planes used AM39 Exocet anti-shipping missiles. They sank the Royal Navy’s HMS Sheffield. The A-4Qs also had a role. They destroyed HMS Ardent.
ARA Veinticinco de Mayo tried to launch A-4Q Skyhawk jets against the Royal Navy Task Force. Poor winds prevented the heavily loaded jets from taking off. After HMS Conqueror sank the ARA General Belgrano, the carrier returned to port. The Skyhawks then launched their attacks from mainland Argentina.
Navy’s T-34s and MB-339s were the only combat aircraft based on the islands. An MB-339 engaged the British landing force first during the Battle of San Carlos. Four naval aviators died in the war.
In 1998, the United States granted Argentina Major Non-NATO ally status. Since 2001, pilot qualification tests took place on the Brazilian Navy carrier São Paulo.
Argentina has five main airbases for Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52. These bases are Comandante Espora, Almirante Zar, Punta Indio, Almirante Quijada and Naval air station Ezeiza.
Today, Aviacion Naval EA51 / EA52 continues to serve. It safeguards Argentina’s maritime interests. It also contributes to national defense. Its legacy of innovation and bravery endures. It inspires future generations of naval aviators.