Kenya Air Force
| Kenya Air Force Jeshi la Anga la Kenya |
|
|---|---|
Kenya Air Force emblem
|
|
| Founded | 1 June 1964 |
| Country |
 Republic of Kenya
|
| Branch | Air Force |
| Size | 125 Aircraft |
| Part of | Kenya Defence Forces |
| Command Headquarters | Nairobi |
| Motto(s) | Tuko Imara Angani |
| Engagements |
Operation Linda Nchi (June 2012 – Present) |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force commander | Major General Samuel Thuita |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Northrop F-5 |
| Helicopter | Mil Mi-171, SA330 Puma, MD 500, Huey 212 |
| Patrol | Harbin Y-12 |
| Trainer | Bulldog, Short Tucano, Grob G 120 |
| Transport | DHC-5, Dash 8, Harbin Y-12 |
Operation Linda Nchi
(16 October 2011 – June 2012)
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) is the national aerial warfare service branch of the Republic of Kenya.
The main airbase operating fighters is Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, while Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi is the headquarters. Other bases include Forward Operating BAse (FOB) Mombasa (Moi International Airport), FOB Mandera, FOB Wajir & FOB Nyeri (mainly helicopters/small planes). The air force does not own attack helicopters: all of Kenya's fleet of armed helicopters are operated by the Army's 50th Air Cavalry Battalion.
The Kenya Air Force was formed on 1 June 1964, soon after independence, with the assistance of the United Kingdom.
Former aircraft in service included de Havilland Canada Chipmunks and Beavers (since 1974), six Hawker Hunters (bought from RAF, in operation from 1974–79), six BAC Strikemaster fighters (in operation from 1971, and 12 BAE Systems Hawks delivered in 1980. All these types have now been withdrawn.
From 1979–1982 President Daniel arap Moi used Northrop F-5 fighter jets to escort his flights in and out of the country; later commentators have pointed out that there was no threat justifying the waste of fuel and the difficult and complex requirements of the escort mission.
After a failed coup by a group of Air Force officers on 1 August 1982, the Air Force was disbanded. Air Force activity was reconstituted and placed under tighter army control as the 82 Air Force. The Air Force regained its independent status in 1994.
On 10 April 2006 a KAF Harbin Y-12 crashed near Marsabit with 17 on board, of whom 14 died. It was carrying several local and national politicians; Bonaya Godana, a former minister, was among the casualties. The pilot in command was Major David Njoroge.
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Wikipedia