Military of Togo - Air Force

Air Force

The Togolese Air Force (French: Force Aérienne Togolaise) was established after independence in 1960, and a French influence remains on the choice of aircraft used. Since 2005, the air force's chief of staff is Colonel Bouraïma Bonfoh. The two air force bases are located in Niamtougou in the north of Togo and in Lomé, the capital.

The C-47 Skytrain was the first aircraft used; it was part of the force from 1960 to 1976. Replacing the C-47s were two DHC-5D Buffalo STOL transports in 1976. Also in the same year Togo acquired five ex-Luftwaffe Fouga Magister armed jet trainers and seven EMB.326GBs from Brazil to form the Escadrille de Chasse. Togos armed jet trainer fleet was upgraded in 1981 by the deliveries of five Alpha jets and by three piston engined Aerospatiale TB-30 Epsilons in 1986. The Fouga Magisters were returned to France in 1985.

The current TAF consists of the following units:

• Escadrille de Transport (Transport Squadron).
  • 2 de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
  • 2 Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III utility helicopter
• Escadrille de Chasse (attack squadron/strike squadron)
  • 4 Aérospatiale Epsilon armed trainers
  • 6 Dassault Alpha Jet ground attack aircraft
  • 6 Aermacchi EMB-326 ground attack aircraft
• Escadrille de Liaison (VIP transport and presidential aircraft)
  • 2 Beechcraft 200 King Air
  • 1 Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma for government transport