After several years of several years of postponement, the Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina / FAA) incorporated a Boeing 737-700 during a ceremony held by Minister of Defense AgustÃn Rossi. Intended to begin replacing the Fokker F28 with an aircraft of greater capacity, the Air Force is seeking at least 3-4 aircraft in the near future.
Experience at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, when the Argentine Air Force flew several missions to Brazil, Ecuador and Peru to evacuate Argentine citizens, is understood to have accelerated the acquisition process. Although the Air Force intends the aircraft should also have a cargo role, it is open to the idea of cargo doors being added at a later date.
May 2006 was the last time the Air Force piloted a Boeing plane. It took 15 years to recover a capacity, to recover a weapons system, to enhance the daily work carried out by the Argentine Air Force, so that its men and women can pilot an aircraft of these characteristics. After witnessing the flight of the new Boeing 737-700 escorted by two IA-63 Pampa aircraft.
The Minister of Defense, AgustÃn Rossi , participated in the First Air Brigade of El Palomar in the reception of the new Boeing 737 “Islas Malvinas” aircraft, acquired by Argentina to expand the operational capabilities of the Argentine Air Force in the transfer of personnel and cargo, as well as in humanitarian assistance tasks in catastrophic and pandemic situation.
This strategic air transport system for National Defense has an approximate capacity of 140 seats per flight, and is equipped to carry out tasks of: cargo transportation (air supply); sanitary evacuation and medical transfer of patients upon request; humanitarian aid and assistance in case of natural disasters inside and outside the country; and logistical support.
The crew, made up of 14 people from the Air Force (of which three are women), was trained at the Pilot Training and Training Center of the Argentine Republic (CEFEPRA), located at the Ezeiza International Airport. It will participate in the transfer of endowments of the Armed Forces in United Nations Missions and will cover destinations of State Air Lines (LADE).
