Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing
Military unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing is the aerial component of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force. It is one of the five branches of the force. The purpose of the air wing includes troop transport, medical evacuation, disaster response, search and rescue and assisting other government agencies.[4][5] The unit was commissioned on 12 April 2022 and started operations with one aircraft (a second-hand BN-2 Islander[6][7]), a second airframe (Piper PA-31) entered service in 2023.[8] Since then, it has expressed interest in acquiring a helicopter, and additional aircraft.[9][10] As of March 2025, the aircraft numbered two, and a third aircraft was being planned.[11] Currently they are based in the Calvin Air hangar at V.C. Bird International Airport, but are scheduled relocate to a more suitable hangar.[9]
| Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing | |
|---|---|
Roundel | |
| Active | 12 April 2022–present[1] |
| Country | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Allegiance | Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force |
| Size | 2 aircraft[2] |
| Motto | Sparing nothing, giving all |
| March | Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee[3] |
| Commanders | |
| Lieutenant colonel | Alando Michael |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Transport | BN-2 Islander, Piper PA-31 |
Aircraft
Current inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | |||||
| Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander | United Kingdom | Transport | 1[2] | Serial ABDF-A1[8] | |
| Piper PA-31 Navajo | United States | Transport | PA-31-350 Chieftain | 1[10][2] | Serial ABDF-A2[8]. Also 1 additional "unserviceable" aircraft[12] |
