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The Bangladesh Air Force (বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী '''Bangladesh Biman Bahini''' in Bangla ), is the branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces . HISTORY The Bangladesh Air Force was formed at Dimapur, Assam on 28 September 1971 . At that time, the embryo of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was formed as 'Kilo Flight' to assist the Mukti Bahini (Freedom Fighters). Initially, 'Kilo Flight' consisted of three aircraft (given by Indian Air Force ), 09 officers and 47 airmen. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud (retired as Air Vice Marshal and Chief of the Air Staff of BAF) was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight'. After having some basic training on air to ground weapon delivery, 'Kilo Flight' successfully bombed Fuel storage in Chittagong and Narayangonj area and thus the journey of BAF had commenced. After liberation in 1971, the Bangladesh Air Force was initially equipped with left-over s, DHC-3 s and Alouette Helicopters. Despite the lack of aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had a large number of Bengal i pilots, many of them distinguishing themselves, this provided the Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained pilots. As the s, An-24 s, An-26 s, and Mi-4 helicopters. In the 1980s and 1990s , both France and the United States donated trainer aircraft, such as the T-37 . Bangladesh's former adversary, Pakistan donated a number of refurbished Shenyang F-6 s. Some were lost in 1991 though due to floods. Despite the loss, many of these aircraft saw service in the Bangladesh Air Force, although they have since been phased out of service. Currently the Bangladesh Air Force is armed mostly with Chinese jets, A-5 s and F-7 s. Recently it also procured Russia n MiG-29 s, although this has caused a controversy in political circles due to the cost, and the lack of an immediate threat to Bangladesh . The controversy has led to talk of withdrawing the aircraft due to the costs involved in maintaining them. C-130 Hercules have also been ordered by the Bangladesh Air Force, and should enter service soon. Bangladesh Air Force also bought Jian F-7MG's in the mid '90s and recently bought 16 F-7G's from China which are modern updated version of MiG-21'Fishbeds' but with revised wing design and more modern avionics and weaponry recently developed by China.F-7MG is fitted with Western-made radar and equipment. The F-7G is a further improved version introduced in 2002. The Bangladesh Air Force is acquiring four U.S. C-130 B transport aircraft. These aircraft will improve the military's disaster response and peacekeeping capabilities. In the late 90's the Air Force also procured eight MiG-29 fighters from Russia for $124 million. In 1995 the Bangladesh Air Force made its largest purchase from the U.S to date: 12 T-37 jet trainers. More recently, Bangladesh procured four C-130 transport aircraft.Bangladesh Air Force have also shown interest in purchasing Chinese new JF- 17 fighters and Russian Su- 30 fighters. INSTALLATIONS Bashar Air Base in Dhaka (this air base is BAF HQ, Training and Educational facilities. Tejgaon Air Base - Helicopter Squadron, Transport Squadron and PM's Air Fleet and BAF Recruiting and Retention Command. Kurmitola Air Base- A large tactical air force base with independent facilities) Zahrul Haque Air Base in Chittagong Matiur Rahman Base in Jessore . The Bangladesh Air Force academy is also located in Jessore. BAF Bases in Comilla, Sylhet, Mymenshingh, Bogra have been up and running. Further expansion and costruction are on-going. Interestingly, all the Air Bases are named after national heroes. The latter are yet to be named. AIRCRAFT
MARKINGS The basic dimensions of the Bangladesh Air Force badge, motto, ensign, and roundel are similar to that of many Commonwealth nations. Their basic colors are green and red representing the colors the Bangladesh national flag. SEE ALSO Bangladesh Air Force
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