Royal Cambodian Air Force

The Royal Cambodian Air Force (Khmer: កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស, romanized: Kângtoăp Cheung Akas, pronounced [kɑːŋ.tŏəp cəːŋ ʔaːkaːh]) is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.

Royal Cambodian Air Force
កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស
Badge of the Royal Cambodian Air Force
Founded9 November 1953 (1953-11-09)
Country Cambodia
AllegianceHM The King
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces
HeadquartersPhnom Penh, Cambodia
Motto(s)Defending the Kingdom of Cambodia
Mascot(s)Aafra Zarnaz Auhona
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Soeung Samnang
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash

Organisation

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by Lieutenant General Soeung Samnang, who has four deputy commanders beneath him. The Air Force itself is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence.

Air Force headquarters are located at Phnom Penh International Airport and is still sign posted Pochentong Air Base. The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron. Maintenance of aircraft and helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Z-9 and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport.

Some airbases in various locations in Cambodia were built by France, Japan (World War II), and the United Kingdom (Royal Air Force).

History

During the early 1990s Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters entered service with the Air Force, as well as Harbin Y-12 and BN-2 Islander transport aircraft. A VIP transport unit was formed in 1995 using the An-24RV and Beech 200 Super King Air. In 2000 a deal was made with Israeli Aircraft Industries to overhaul MiG-21s and which saw the delivery of L-39C Albatross aircraft for lead in trainers and entered service during 1995–2000.

Current inventory
A former Mil Mi-26 Halo of the Royal Cambodian Air Force.[1]
Aircraft Origin Role Quantity Notes
Transport
A320-200 France VIP transport 1[2] In service

1 x A320-200. From France.

MA60-100 China Transport 2[3] In service

2 x MA60-100. From China.[3]

Helicopters
Mi-8 Soviet Union Transport helicopter 7[4] In service

3 x Mi-8T. From Slovakia.

1 x Mi-8MTV-1. From Ukraine.

3 x Mi-8AMT. From Russia.[5]

Mi-17 6[4] In service

4 x Mi-17. Former KPRAF. 1 crashed.[6]

1 x Mi-17-1V. From Ukraine.[4]

2 x Mi-171E. From Russia.[7]

Z-9 China Utility helicoper 11[3] In service

4 x Z-9WE. From China.

8 x Z-9EH. From China. 1 crashed.[8]

AS350 France VIP transport 2[3] In service

1 x AS350B. From France.

1 x AS350B2. From France.[3]

AS355 2[3] In service

1 x AS355F2. From France.

1 x AS355N. From France.[3]

AW109 Trekker Italy 2[3] In service

2 x AW109 Trekker. From Italy.[3]

Trainer
Y-12 (II) China Trainer 2[3] In service

2 x Y-12 (II). From China.[3]

L-39C Czechoslovakia Trainer / Light attack 5[4] Grounded

6 x L-39C. From the Czech Republic.[4] 1 crashed.[9]

Sport
Main article: Royal Cambodian Air Force FC

The force maintains a professional association football team as one of its branches, which formerly played in the C-League.

Air Force ranks and insignia
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Cambodian Air Force
General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain 1st lieutenant 2nd lieutenant Officer cadet
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Royal Cambodian Air Force
Warrant Officer Command Sergeant Major Master Sergeant Staff Sergeant Chief Corporal Corporal Airman 1st Class Airman 2nd Class Airman

See also

References
  1. "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 12". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  2. "Air Force One of Cambodia". alfredmeier.me. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  4. "Royal Cambodian Air Force". www.aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  5. "Mi-8AMT". www.cne.wtf. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  6. "Mi-17 Crash". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  7. "Mi-171E". Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  8. "Z-9EH Crash". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  9. "L-39C Crash". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 11–17 December 2012, Vol. 182 No. 5370. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 194, No. 5665, 4–10 December 2018, pp. 32–60. ISSN 0015-3710
  • World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05
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