Argentinean Air Force Latin America's First Dougals A-4 SkyHawks Operator

Argentina was the first foreign government to purchase the Skyhawk. In 1965 it contracted to purchase 75 surplus U.S. A-4B (Douglas designation A-4P) and A-4C aircraft for use by the Argentine Air Force. Twenty-five A-4s were delivered to Argentina in 1966, the second 25 arrived in 1970, and the final 25 were delivered in 1976.
In 1971, Argentina purchased an additional 16 surplus A-4Bs (designated A-4Q) for use by the Argentine Navy.Following the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War in the South Atlantic, in 1983 the U.S. placed an embargo on sale of military aircraft to Argentina.
The remaining Argentine Skyhawks continued operational until March 1999, when the last five of the old inventory were retired.The U.S. embargo was lifted in 1994 and Argentina ordered 36 A-4Ms (re-designated A-4AR Fighting Hawk) from U.S. surplus. The first eight A-4ARs were refurbished in the U.S. by Lockheed-Martin and the remaining 28 were modified at a Lockheed Martin facility established in Argentina.
The Fighting Hawk refurbishment-upgrade program was completed on 31 May 2000 and the aircraft are currently operational, assigned to the 5th Air Brigade at Villa Reynolds, west-northwest of Buenos Aires.