HONDURAN AIR FORCE CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 23, 2007
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: January 13, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049RO01503810012-6
 Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
SE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
13 January 1982
MEMORANDUM
Honduran Air Force Capabilities
The Honduran Air Force is the best in Central America, but
en Super Mystere fighters are woefully obsoletel
Furthermore, since the Air Force began its own pi-Lut
training program in 1974, it has not been able to provide enough
trained pilots to meet requirements. Finally, a shortage of
qualified mechanics and technicians would limit the capability
for sustained operations.
The Air Force is based at four locations, Tegucigalpa,
Comayagua, San Pedro Sula, and La Cieba. The airfields have
adequate facilities to support the aircraft normally de loyed
there.
The Cuban Air Force is the best equipped in all Latin
America, with over 200 MIG fighter aircraft
Because of range limitiations, however, its most effective
This memorandum was requested by the Deputy Director of Intelligence.
It was prepared bq of the Central America Working Group, Middle
America/Caribbean Division, Office of African and Latin American Analysis and
contains information available as of 13 January 1982. Questions and comments
addressed to Chief, Middle America/Caribbean Division, OALA,
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 Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
employment against Honduras would require basing in Nicaragua.
Cuba could easily fly a squadron of MIG-21s and perhaps another
of MIG-23s to Nicaragua and base them at Sandino, Puerto Cabezas,
or Montelimar airfields. The MIG-21s would be far superior to
the Super Mysteres in the Honduran inventory in an air
superiority role, and the NTG-23s would provide an excellent
ground attack capability.
This Memorandum can be downgraded to
SECRETI
2
SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
 Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6
Approved For Release 2007/02/23: CIA-RDP84B00049R001503810012-6