Katangese Air Force

Katangese Air Force
Air Force roundel
Active	1960 - 1963
Country	Katanga
Branch	Air force
Role	CAS, Ground attack
Garrison/HQ	Luano airfield
Commanders
Commander	Jan Zumbach
Aircraft flown
Attack	Fouga CM.170 Magister, AT-6G Texan

The Katangese Air Force (French: Force aérienne katangaise, or FAK), also known as Avikat, was a short lived mercenary air wing made up of Belgian, French, and British pilots. The FAK was established in 1960 under the command of Jan Zumbach, which operated a few helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

In 1960, the leader of the CONAKAT party Moise Tshombe, declared the Province of Katanga's independence from the Congo Léopoldville. This action was to secede from the turmoil under Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. The newly formed Katangese government requested military aid from Belgium, and in desperation Lumumba appealed for assistance to the United Nations. On July 17, 1960 Resolution 143 was adopted, which established the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC), and would provide military assistance to the Congolese forces.

Katanga formed their own paramilitary unit with foreign mercenaries, which also included assembling a small air force, to be commanded by Jan Zumbach. Zumbach was a World War II fighter ace, who had flown with No. 303 (Polish) Squadron of the Royal Air Force. The primary role of the Katangese Air Force was to provide air support for ground troops and air interdiction. Initial aircraft consisted of five DH Doves, eight T-6s, a DH Heron, an Alouette II, a PA-18 and a single S-55 helicopter, which were left by the BAF during the dissolution of the Belgian Congo. Additionally nine Fouga CM.170 Magisters were purchased from France, but only three of these were delivered. The FAK began flying AT-6G Harvards from its command base at Luano airfield, with raids on several ONUC positions. Battles raged on for over two years between the Katangese and UN contingent forces, and on 15 January 1963, the UN had established full control over Katanga. Remnants of the Katangese Air Force were all but gone, as most aircraft were destroyed or abandoned.