Why is it, fervent and loyal blog readers, that a smile comes on our face when we hear about the Mexican Airforce?
That we don’t feel even a beginning of being serious about them?
This starts with the general conviction that a military air force in Mexico will always be a paradox.
And for a military force to be a paradox is a wrong foundation when you want to fight and win.
Imagine, to the east Mexico has a sea as a border: the Gulf of Mexico where the only enemy found are hurricanes and oil spills.
To the west Mexico has the Pacific Ocean as a border and the nearest enemy there is Japan that has been taught in WW2 not to be so naughty anymore.
To the south Mexico has real neighbors: Guatemala and Belize.
The air force of Guatemala consists of 93 airplanes of which not one can attack.
Most are transport planes and helicopters.
Belize has an air force consisting of 5 planes all for transportation and training.
One doesn’t need to be a military expert on air war fare to conclude that Mexico has nothing to be afraid of from the South, the East and the West.
Now, what about the North?
Big Brother USA lives there and has the largest air force in the world.
More than 6.000 airplanes and many of them can drop bombs.
Now, it is no secret that those + 6.000 fighter planes are not all positioned with their noses towards Mexico.
But nevertheless, a smart air force general will never even begin to think of fighting an enemy that has over 6.000 planes when having yourself only 363 outdated flying machines.
Because that is the amount of planes the Mexican Air Force has.
So, if there is no enemy to the East and to the West, and no enemy to take serious to the South but an enemy to the North that makes anyone run away for cover, why have an air force?
Frequently this fundamental question is answered by the Mexican Air Force.
They have the 9th Military Air Base near La Paz, the town about three hours from El Triple, the current location of living and working.
At this Air Base is the 2nd Air Group consisting of the 203 Air Squadron.
They fly the Pilatus PC-7 from there.
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.
This aircraft is capable of all basic training functions including aerobatics, instrument, tactical and night flying.
Sometimes they come right above El Triple when teaching new pilots how to fly.
And on rare occasions they even do loop-the-loops!
Hurray for the Mexican Air Force!
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