NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 71; GUATEMALA; ARMED FORCES

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• Collection: NIS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110045-4
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RET
GS/AF
matemala
rch 1.973
J10NAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
RET
FOREIGN DISSEM
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"WATEMALA
CONT'ENT'S
This General Survey supersedes the one dated Jan
uarV 1969, copies of which should be destroyed.
A. Defense establishment 1
L:mnhasis on internal security mission and ground
forces; capabilities; military agreements.
1. Military history 1
Background of armed fords, including in-
volvement in political affairs; do-
of military by anti Communise elemet,ts since
195 U.S. military assistance.
2. Command structure
Formal and actual chains of command.
B. Joint activities 3
I. Military manpower 3
Breakdown by age group of male population
and those physically fit for service; com-
pulsory military service system; reserve pro
gram; morale.
2. Strength trends 4
Gradual increases in personnel strengths of
ground forces, navy, and air force; armed
forces almost exclusively ground forces.
SECRET No FoIt=N DISSEM
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3. Training
In- country training generally poor and on -the-
job; U.S. assistance; training abroad, primarily
in continental United States and Canal 'Lone.
4. Military budget
Procedure for preparation and approval; in-
crease in defense budget throughout 1960's
and early 1970's.
5. Logistics
Limited industrial capability to support armed
forces; dependence on imports, primarily
U.S.; organization of logistics system; inability
of system to support sustained operation.
C. Ground forces
Mission and capabilities; emphasis on internal
security; appraisal of personnel; efforts to procure
modern anus and equipment.
1. Organization
Command structure; military zones and base
commands.
2. Strength, composition, and disposition
Overall personnel strength; combat and
combat support units; greatest concentration
of combat units in and around capital.
3. Training
Effectiveness of training; training facilities.
D. Naval forces
Mission and capabilities of small naval element
of the Guatemalan Army.
1. Organization
Command structure; communications.
Page
Page
4
2. Strength, composition, and disposition
9
Fig. 1
Number of ships and their armament and de-
Fig. 7
ployment.
3. Training
9
5
Assessment of training; emphasis on com-
10
Fig. 2
munications and electronics; U.S. assistance.
5
Fig, 8
4. Logistics
10
5
Logistical support provided by G4 Section of
5
Army General Staff; system barely adequate
i t
Fig. 4
for normal peacetime operations; dependence:
on foreign sources.
5. Marines
6
6
Missions, personnel strength, deployment.
Fig. 5
E. Air force
11
Largest Central American air force; mission and
13
capabilities.
8
7
1. Organization
12
Fig. 6
Formal and actual command structure.
10
7
2. Strength, composition, and disposition
12
Personnel strength end aircraft inventory and
deployment.
3. Training
12
8
Flight training emphasis on counterinsurgency
operations, aerial resupply, and search and
8
rescue; U.S. assistance.
4. Logistics
13
Dependence on foreign sources, prima
9
U.S.; inability of logistics system to support
extended operations.
FIGURES
ii
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Page
Page
Fig. 1
Organization of military establish-
Fig. 7
One of navy's two 63 -foot patrol
ment (chart)
2
craft (photo)
10
Fig. 2
Army field training exercise photo)
5
Fig, 8
Marines in an assault exercise
Fig. 3
Annual defense budgets table)
5
(photo)
i t
Fig. 4
Army infantry troops on parade
hoto
6
Fig. 9
Air force T -33 aircraft at La Aurora
Fig. 5
Members of Parachute Infantry
airbase photo)
13
Battalion photo)
8
Fig. 10
Air force UH -111 helicopter and
Fig. 6
Navy's largest ship photo)
10
C -47 at La Aurora airbase photo)
13
ii
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Armed Forces
A. Defense establishment
Both the government and armed forces consider
leftist insurgency the greatest threat to the country.
Consequently, the military emphasizes the develop-
ment arid maintenance of its internal security
capabilities rather than the establishment of it defense
force to combat possible attack from outside.
Neighboring countries are riot regards(] as serious:
external threats; during modern times, Clew has been
no sustained invasion by a foreign co arid the
border disputes with other (ventral American countries
and Mc %-c:o have resulted in only tninor skirrnishes.
The armed forces, the most important organized group
in Guatemala, consist of it ground element, an air
force, and a n;ivv. 'These forves, Officially designated
the Guatemalan Array, are capabic of controlling riots
and of defending the national territory against
neighboring countries, with the exception of McMco.
in view of the importance of the internal security role:,
the ground force has 94% of the armed forces strength,
and the bulk of the army's troops are deployed in and
around the capital, Guatemala City, and in the Lago
de Izabal- Zacapa area, where Communist insurgents
have been active since 1960. The resulting reduction
in internal security capability in other areas of the
country is partially counterbalaw, -ed by the rapid
deployment capability of the Parachute infantry
Battalion, a well trained arid well equipped combat
unit. (C:)
The armed forces are capable of ontaining
localized rural insurgency, but they would not he able
to conduct simultaneous effective counterins(rgency
operations in several localities. Military capabilities
for counterinsurgency in remote areas have unproved
greatly through continuous training and especially
through tits 1972 counterinsurgency operations in
isolated jangle areas. Units participating in those
operations were rotated, so that all armycornhat units
obtained counterinsurgency experience. and the air
force provided transport, gaining experience in
coo;dinalion with army operations. These operations
forced rural insurgent elements to become largely
inactive. Army intelligence, planning, and operation
procedures have improved, and the array now is able
to support reinforced company- siz(-d jungle operations
and should shortly he able to field battalion -sized
::nits. 'I'll( logistic system, ho%%ever, could nut support
extended, large -scale counterinsurgency operations.
(S)
Major equipment of the 12.31.11) -rnan ground
clement consists of 97 75 -mat howitzers, four 105 -min
howitzers, 12 armored 'personnel carriers, 13 armored
cars, and six M3A1 light tanks. The 370-man navy,
which includes a marine company, is equipped with
ordly minor craft (four patrol bouts, six patrol craft.
and one amphibious warfare craft) and could offer
little resistance to a foreign attack. The 300 -man air
force element. with 45 aircraft, places its primary
emphasis on support of the ground forces. (S)
Guatemala is a member of the Inter American
Defense Board, it signatory of the titer- American
'Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Pact), and a
charter member of the Central American Defense
Council. The council, which has its seat in Guatemala
City, was formed in 196.1 to achieve close cooperation
among the Central American military establishments.
Much basic planning has been accomplished, but
little has been approved at national levels. Guatemala
has a bilateral military assistance agreement with the
United States, Ad its military are cooperative in all
associations with the U.S. military. It generally has
supported U.S. policies at the United Nations and
within the hemisphere. (C:)
t. Military history (C)
Historically, Guatemala's armed forces have been
almost exclusively ground forces. They have shown
little professional competence, and 'nave devoted
much att -ntion to political aff..irs. Guatemalans
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participated in the Artily of the (ventral Anwricao
I�'ederatiou of 1825 39. During the rest of the 19th
c�cntury, the armed forces were bivolved in political
struggles, either for or against the goverionenl lit
power, and in international c�onflic�ls in (ventral
A inerica.
During the relatively progressive administration of
President Justo Rnfino Barrios 1873 85), several
military ininroveni nts were inade. A compulsory
military serviee system was set up for male citizens 18
to 50 ye ars of agcy. The Polytechnic Institute was
inaugurated as the national military academy in 187:3,
offering military training and liberal arts stiblects for
nien destincd for ntilita y careers is officers. Soine
officers were sent to schools in the United States and
1 ?urope, and foreign military personnel were brought
to Guaternala as instructors. A iilitary hospital went
into operation in 1881. Armed forces personnel
strength reportedly reached 15,000 in this period.
During the bloody dictatorship of Manuel I?strada
Cabrera (1898 1920), the arncd forces were used as an
instrument of terror. This reputation to some extent
still clings to the present forces.
The military. on the whole, sit pported the
dictatorship of Gen. Jorge Ufrico (1931 �1.1). After
Uhico's overthrow, the officer corps suffewd some
division over the extremist reforni policies of President
Juan Jose Arevalo 19.15 It w:ts even more divided
by the actions of the (:ontntunist doniinatc(I
government during the Presidency of Col. Jacobo
Arben�z. (1951 5.1). Anti Coinnunist elements have
dominated die military establishment since the
ov�rthrow of Arbenz, which was iargcly brought abort
by the refusal of the armed forces to support his
government against a small invading force of
Guatemalan exiles. In 196:1, President 1'digoras, who
had permitted ex- President Arevalo to return to the
country, was overthrown by she� military in a move to
prevent the possibility of Arevalo's reelfx�tion and a
resurgence of Communist influence.
The air force was established by law as a part of the
Guatemalan Arrny on 1 July 1929. It has remained it
small force though gradually increasing to its present
strength of 370 personnel.
Gtiateniala had coast guard -type force for several
decades until the present navy was created as a part of
the Guatemalan Army by presidential decree of 15
January 1959. The navy has reniained it small coastal
patrol force
U.S. military assistance to Guatenuda began in
1956. The armed fords have not increased
significantly in size since the beginning of the Military
Assistance Prograrn (MAP), but they have achieved
important improvements in organization, equipment,
-tnd overall combat effectiveness.
2. C;onnnand structure (C:)
The President, titular Corrtmander in (aiirf of the
,\rnwd f'orc�es, t,: reiscs direct coi:uri: nd ,%t�r one of
the nmjor nulitary units �Ihe Prc^Sidenlial Guard
and is assisted I,v it military ad%isory :end c�oortlinailing
body, the Presidential Military Suiff I igur� I The
Minister of NaIit)II:11 1)r4rnsc, Irtditiowilly a senir,r
ground force officer, has responsibility for all other
elenwitis o) the defense establklinu�i,t and is thc� real
c�ornniander of the lorccs. Direc�lly subordinate to hint
is a 1OWly Military Police force, a battakofi sJze imil.
providing guard a ;id police services in witless
dispersed areas� and the cline :luxifiar. Services�thc
Legal Department, Finance Departinenl, Comptrol-
ler, Public Relations, 'Military Ilwpilal, Ainnunilioo
Depot, Ariny Coinniissary, Military 11ccreation
Cetitcrs, and Antis 1 ?dilorial Staff. The Vice Minister
of National Defen,e is in charge of a dtiiifiistrative
PRESIDENT
Commander in Chef
of the A:mcd Forces.
Presidential
Guard
Presidential
Military Staff
Regioccal
Telecommunications
Center
Ministe, of
National Dcfcnse
Mobile Auxiliary
Military Vice Minister of Services
Police National Defenac
Chief of the Army
General Staff
Army General Staff i Special Staff
G-i Personnel
G-2 Intelligence
G-3 Operations
G-4 Logistics
O-5 Civic Action
Brigades
Infantry Battalions
Parachute Infantry Battalion
Enggsneer Battalion
Military Bases
Military Zones
Air Force
Navy
FIGURE 1. Organization of the Guatemalan
militar; as:- -blishment (C)
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oc"'t"'s conccrnt,d with the defers f-m-es and also
acts for the minister when the latter is absent. '1'ht,
(thief of the Army General Staff, who is directly
subordinate to the Minister, is the formal comr.)ander
of the armed forces, altlu jig 11 )ht, minister
traditionally tentis t: bypass hills and freyuently deals
directly with lower commanders, particrtlarly on :a ir
force and n:nvv matters. During i state of srige, the National Police corns� under tilil(- control of the Minister
of National I.)efense.
The ;luny General Staff exercises staff supervision
over tilt military establishment, although nurc�h of the
stuff activity of rile navy and air force is performed
within those services. It is organized into five sections:
C -1, Personnel, G -2, It)telligenc.c, G -3, Operations;
4. Logistics; and G -5, Civic Action. The (:hicf of the
Army General Staff also directs the Special Staff,
which consists of the chief:~ c:f the 13 Special Services
Quartermaster, Engineers, Ordnance, Medical.
Signal, Chernical Warfare, Trans,, ortation, Military
Justie.(�, Military Police, Adjutant General, Carteg-
raphy, Livestock and Fanning, and Military Reserve.
The operational commanders, except for )ht,
Presidential Girard and M.ohile Military Police, all are
formally directly under the Chief of the Arny Genera! Staff. Thev head various ground force units.
brigades, battalions, zom corntnands, and base
commands well as the navy a air force. The
individual service schools ire subordinate to the C:hicf
of the Army General Staff through G -:3 Operations of
the Army General Staff. There is legal authorization
for activation of corps commands and of a National
Palace Guard C:on)rnan(I, hclt these units have not
been activated.
B. Joint activities
I, Milipary manpower (C)
13,000
Estimates of the total available
manpower by 5 -year
age groups and the maximum to)rnber fit for military
service as
of I January 1973 are
as follows:
AI 180
TOTAL
M AXIMUNI
ACE
NUMBER
NUMBER FIT FOR
OF MALES
MILITARY SERVXCE
15 -19
300,000
170,000
20 -24
261,000
140,000
25 -29
229,000
120,000
30 -34
203,000
100,000
35 -39
167,000
75,000
40 -44
129,000
55,000
45 -49
101,000
40,000
Total,
1549 1,390,000
700,000
I'ht, average aunber reaching military age (18)
annually daring 1973 -77 is expected fu be about
6:30M.
Mules betwee) ages IK and 50 are snl)jcct to
cornpuisory military service. Registration for the draft
is Obligatory at age 18, but no attenpl is rnidt, to
insure that all eligible males have registered. The
Icngth of service f()r draftees and volunteers :alike is
2 s years; approxinuet c�rvic�e schools of
other I.:_atin Xineric�an countries.
'I'hc marines recekv training iu standard inf,uatry
subjcx�ts, plans. hasic Seamanship and caber naval
subjects, The marine platoons scr%c ,as a basic- training
unit for the n,uvv.:111 persons ho desire to join the
navy must volunteer inilialk fnr marine duty and
enlist f or a a;_-vear period. 'I hose who shot
outstanding capabilities are given an opportunity fn
join the navy. Arrny officers dctache�d fur elute in the
navy likcwille receive initial training in the nrariiw
platoons. \dwrc they wear army aanif'mms and retain
FIGURE 6. The Navy's largest ship,
an 85 -foot patrol boat (PB) (U /OU)
FIGURE 7. One of the Navy's two
63 -foot patrol craft (PBR) (U /OU)
their arnav rank. t pou couy of this training,
the\' nna\ d,ccc,nw attached to the nav\ \\.�ar the na: v
tmih,rna, and :usurac� nasal rank.
4. Logistics (C)
The has no Imr,A(- logis.tic�al ,\stcm and is
totally dependent upc,n foreign source; of supple fur
ship;, spare parts, I'0I., and :alim st all m:uaufartured
goods. Acquisition od arms. munitions, c�Iothiug, and
all types of cgt6pmcnt for the nay v is the re;poaasihility
of the G -4 Section of the Arm\ Ceueral Staff. 'Phis
Iogistic�al systena is barely adequate for norms d
peacetime operations. and fur,oay sustained operation
it \\mild require the ,uppOrt of external �,ourc�es.
Gencaalk only food any! iothing are prodded b\
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11 W l source,. \a\:II rcp;IiIs it carl"it,(I ool :It tll(�
repair I:Ici Iit ics in I'i\ini- n a11cl the 11,1t ill ha .c ;It
silllto'Illllla (le (:u"tilla.
5. `Marines (S)
TlIc niilrinc :(I) iIIte-, ciclucut of the 11a\\.
pro ide lorthc ecurit\ (d t lit na\ill ha,c,:uld milli ti('
(�o:I,lal itch to\\cr,. In .idditimi. nlllrine per,onncl
pro\idt- if rcad\ waction fort,(, (o Ill- trall,ll( In
naval Unit, to c()iI,tal area, or to inlnn(I atclt if\ of
the I do Izabal if (Fi I rc 1, cr. the
elenu�nl (lows not lta\c ,ufficiclit pct', )I t(, patrol
ildeyuatel, the lorlk cowtlin(�, al Id inl:ulcl
The nuu"inc element k or;lllized into one cunllr,ul,
of fi rifle platoon 1'( r,onnt,l consist (,fan t,
�?U offio -l :uul 255 eniktc(l nlell. One of the
,tatiolled at the nee\ fla\al ha at Si W. the
remaining n(arinc, are ut the na\ ill ie:!a(Inarter, or on
(lute :aon,t; t 11 Carihlx all c(,:l"thliv, ;illd all platoon
are eyrlippe(I kith a \ariet particularl\
M ripe,. (:olulnunicatinn c(Illipinent iuclu(le t((n
PK(; 111 lrun,cri4,r Bert i, no II itItr transport
f;nci: to the platoon,.
FIGURE 8. Marines landing from the Navy's single amphibious
warfare craft (LCM) in an assault exercise (U /OU)
E. Air force
I'ic :11111 -111au i.u:llclIull:(II .fir F( Ic(� i li( Ino,l
cffecli\t, Id the (:e11 iI lrllcric;ll; air fort, 1
,ulmi clerlr(�IIt (,1 Iht, (:u;lt( Inul;;u Arnl\. it
tIIc ;IIi,'i(>n (it ;1 ,I I IIll' tII('
rulut(I fnrcc in it d(.Icu of tilt (�oulltrn ;Illd in tilt'
Illailltcliml(V (,l irltcrllal c(�Ilrit\. Tilt air fo r4, :ll,(, i,
la,ke(l \\ilh tic tr:ul,port of lrn(,ln. tu\crntucllt
o!'ficial :111(1 ,ulipli to nlilitan post'� \llich :(n�
(1if(iculi to mach h\ irliwc ir:ul 'I'll!
t(u�ti(�al tlir c;llr,thilik \a .itrlldic:,ntl\ h\
tilt' :(c(lui,itioll of `i li ict :lircratt front the l Mitt,(
tait, ill 111114 197 I. hilt the 111.111 ,iic (,f till. forct, ;111(1
tilt, ohu,lt,,c(�uce of rt,nr.(illiu( :lircr.ltt ill contiuu(� to
limit tht,ot,rall conliat (;Ilrahilit,. It h:l, l tr;licl;i(
lit' c;lpahilit au(i no t,arl (arlliu and t!rolln(I
controllcd intcrccpt air dt-Iciow 'I'll(- air forct, i
capahlc of Iwrfonlliu'_ -Dillc ul:lritinlc rccunuai
in ,upporl of 11-1\ ill for(�t,,. ;111(1 it ha hall olllc
pt,ricncc ill .Iriotl, plla,c of lit' to t rouucl
Operation ill support (�I countcrin,ur(,('ll( olu r;liiou
Ill additioll. the air torcc kill c(crll occ:(,inll II;1
'�ucc!� �fully dcnl �n tic c:lpahilit.\ of pro\i(liw
armcd hclicoptcr for ;lirliltin- troop .u1(I ,1wHil -I
Illt( r ;(rl �:1 'ill c -moat 111;111 ill rol111
v r..
w,,
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c;:
Y:a;
now

Logistics is a major weakness of the air force, as it is
entirely dependent on the United States for aircraft,
related equipment, and aviation fuel. Aircraft
maintenance is generally only fair because of shortages
of maintenance funds and of spare parts and the lack
of qualified maintenance technicians. (S)
A 400 -rnan Guatemalan Army security force is
stationed at La Aurora International Airport, in the
southern outskirts of the capital. The force is
responsible for the internal security of the installation
and has the additional mission of blocking any air
operation not authorized by the Minister of National
Defense. The air force is not politically active, but it
retains its traditional anti Communist orientation. (S)
1. Organization (C)
The Chief of the Air Force is formally subordinate
to the Chief of the Army General Staff. In practice,
however, the Chief of the Air Force is responsible
directly to the Minister of National Defense, who
maintains complete operational control over the air
force. The force has little or no part in overall military
operational planning and remains subordinate to the
Guatemalan Army General Staff in these matters. 'Che
Chief of the Air Force is assisted by a second and a
third in command. an Inspector General, and a four
section Air Staff: A -1, Personnel, A -2. Intelligence
(integrated into the Intelligence Section of Cie Army
General Staff); A -3, Operations; and A -4, Supply.
There are also it Civic A 'ions Officer and it Chief of
Maintenance. Aircraft are assigned to either the
fighter squadron or the transport squadron, and all are
based at La Aurora International Airport.
2. Strength, composition, and disposition' (C)
The air force personnel strength is 300; all are
volunteers, and of the 68 officers, 58 are pilots. The
force relies heavily upon the services of specialists
NCO- equivalent personnel who are under complete
military discipline and have technical skills not found
in the average enlisted conscript. The use of specialists
helps keep personnel turnover rates low, but the air
force has a pressing need for more and better trained
personnel to handle its growing technical and
maintenance needs.
The Guatemalan Air Force has no formal organized
reserve program. In an emergency, personnel who
'For current detailed information seethe Free World Air Order of
Battle and the Military 1welligence Surranary, both published by
the Defense Intelligence Agency. For additional information on
airfields, see the Transportation and 'Telecommunications chapter
of this General Survey.
12
have served their active duty tours and have returned
to civilian life are expected to volunteer their services,
and the air force could also call upon the 29 pilots and
I 1 aircraft (only six operational at ally one time) of the
Guatemalan Aviation Enterprise (AVIATECA), the
government -owned civilian airline.
The air farce has a total of 45 aircraft in it
inventory. All are armed or capable of being armed on
short notice. However, only 34 are operationally
assigned to the two squadrons as indicated in the
following.
�Cessnas, Pipers, etc.
Although the air force is suffering from a shortage of
maintenance personnel, the aircraft are maintained in
good condition, with an average deadline rate of only
about 20'1'c. of those assigned to units. Sonic of the
aircraft not assigned to units are old and have not
flown for year because of the difficulty of
maintenance and of obtaining replacement parts. The
air force is seeking replacements for its deadlined
aircraft and is expected to acquire u C: -47 and a DC-
6B in cariv 197.3; in addition, it is seeking additional
A -3713 aircraft from the U.S.
3. Training (C)
All air force officers attend the Polytechnic
Institute, in the capital, prior to receiving specialized
career training. The flight training program of the air
force, augmented by U.S. MAP support, is adequate
to meet current requirements and stresses support of
counterinsurgency operations, aerial resupply, and
search and rescue operations. Air indoctrination,
proficiency, and upgrading flights are conducted from
La Aurora International Airfield. Student pilots are
trained in the United States, yhere they receive their
wings; they return to Guatemala in the status of cadet
and subsequently are commissioned as pilots. The first
class of six pilot trainees was graduated in September
1971 from the air force helicopter training program; a
new class of about four pilot trainees probably will be
formed in late 1972.
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NumREn
Operationally
Tree.
On hand
assigned
SQUADRON
A -37B
1
6
Fighter
T -33 (F gurc 9)
6
6
Do
B -26
4
0
C-47
10
7
Transport
L?H -111 (Figure 10)
5
5
Do
Ull -198
4
4
Do
Utility'
9
6
Do
Total
45
34
�Cessnas, Pipers, etc.
Although the air force is suffering from a shortage of
maintenance personnel, the aircraft are maintained in
good condition, with an average deadline rate of only
about 20'1'c. of those assigned to units. Sonic of the
aircraft not assigned to units are old and have not
flown for year because of the difficulty of
maintenance and of obtaining replacement parts. The
air force is seeking replacements for its deadlined
aircraft and is expected to acquire u C: -47 and a DC-
6B in cariv 197.3; in addition, it is seeking additional
A -3713 aircraft from the U.S.
3. Training (C)
All air force officers attend the Polytechnic
Institute, in the capital, prior to receiving specialized
career training. The flight training program of the air
force, augmented by U.S. MAP support, is adequate
to meet current requirements and stresses support of
counterinsurgency operations, aerial resupply, and
search and rescue operations. Air indoctrination,
proficiency, and upgrading flights are conducted from
La Aurora International Airfield. Student pilots are
trained in the United States, yhere they receive their
wings; they return to Guatemala in the status of cadet
and subsequently are commissioned as pilots. The first
class of six pilot trainees was graduated in September
1971 from the air force helicopter training program; a
new class of about four pilot trainees probably will be
formed in late 1972.
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110045 -4

FIGURE 9. Air Force T -33 aircraft lined up at La Aurora Airbase (C)
a
I&
FIGURE 10. Air Force UH -1 H helicopter and C -47 at La Aurora Airbase (C)
Must of the training for ground officers, airmen,
and key specialists is provided at the Inter American
Air Forces Acadernv, at Albrook Air Force Base, Canal
Zone. Selected officers attend the Squadron Officer
School and the Air Command and Staff School at
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. There is a U.S. Air
Force Section in the U.S. Military Group assigned to
the Guatemalan Air Force in an advisory capacity.
Newly inducted personnel attend an air force-
operated mechanics school. In addition to covering all
basic aircraft engine and fuselage data, including
communications and electronics, the -year course
conducted at this school provides academic
instruction. P,stablishment of the mechanics school
was a major step toward air force self- sufficienc�v in the
training of airmen.
4. Logistics (C)
1'he maintenance and supply s }stems, which are
organized along the lines of the U.S. Air Force, are
adequate to sustain normal operations but could not
sustain extended operations in support of a national
disaster relief program or counterinsc,rgenc�v opera-
tions in mor�:- than one threatened area. The air force is
entirel\ dopencient on foreign sources, primarily U.S.,
for aircraft, spare parts, armament, ammunition, and
aviation fuel. A high sortie rate would be limited to no
more than i days because of inadequate reserves.
13
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S F C' it i,.`r
Places and features referred to in this chapter (U
t
CooxnINATra
.r
Coatepeque
1I 42
91 52
Coban
1539
90 19
Guatemala City (or Guatemala)
14 38
90 31
Jutiapa
14 17
89 54
Lago de Izabal (lake)
1.3 :30
89 10
Livingston
15 50
88 45
Los Cipresales
14 47
90 47
Pet6n
14 37
90 17
Popt6n
16 21
89 26
Quezaltenango
14 50
91 31
Puerto Barrios
15 43
88 36
Retalhu lcu
14 32
91 41
San aos6
13 55
90 49
San Marcos
1.1 58
91 �18
Santa Cruz del Quich6
15 02
91 08
Santo Tomas de Castilla
15 42
88 37
Sipacate
1:3 56
91 09
7_ acapa
14 58
89 32
t
14
.r
N0 FOREIGN I)ISSR;11
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5r:crtF;T

t\VvV. rVVV /VVl IV.
o SECRET
d NO FOREIGN DISSEM
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SECRET