AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports on The Chilean Air Force Third And Final Boeing KC-135E Delivered

Chilean Air Force (FACH) Tanker serial number 981, C/n 17572, former USAF 57-1501 flying with an F-16C from the "Peace Puma" Program in which the U.S. provided the 1st six F-16C Block 50 aircraft. Shown with 981 is F-16C 853 from the "Peace Puma" Program from 2006

The (FACH) last and final KC-135E tanker to have be delivered is aircraft serial number 983, C/n 17759, which was formerly USAF 58-0014

U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons, Chilean Minister of National Defesne, Francisco Vidal and Commander in Chief of the Chilean Air Force, General Ricardo Ortega, cutting the ribbon commissioning the first KC-135E, serial # 981 into the Chilean Air Force

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: The Chilean Airforce (FACH) commissioned February 18 the first three Boeing KC-135E tanker aircraft purchased from the United States, with an official ceremony held at the Grupo 10 Air Base located in Santiago. Chile's National Defense Minister, Francisco Vidal, and the Commander in Chief of  the Air Force, General Ricardo Ortega presided over the event. Representing the United States was Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Mr. Bruce Lemkin and U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons. 

Chilean authorities explained to AIRFORCES, Inc (AFI). that the purchase of the three plane is part of the process to renew Chilean Air Force equipment to enhance airlift capability for peacekeeping operations as well as for humanitarian assistance or medical evacuations and for aerial refueling of the (FACH') F-16 and F-5 aircraft. In learning that the 151st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) of the Utah Air National Guard provided support in ferrying the planes to Santiago, Chile. 

AIRFORCES, Inc.placed a call to the 151st and contacted the office of Command Chief, CMSgt Kyle A. Dillingham, who was kind enough to have directed (AFI) to base public affairs office who advised (AFI) that aside of ferrying the aircraft to Chile, the 151th ARW also played a key and supportive role in providing initial KC-135E aircraft maintenance and ground operational training to the (FACH). 

To date, Chile now becomes the latest Latin American Country to employ and operate the Boeing KC-135 in joining Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela. Currently, AIRFORCES, Inc. is liaising with the Chilean Consulate in Miami, Florida so as to arrange a visitation to Grupo 10 for an formal interview so as to present further informative articles on this matter.

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports on Colombian National Police ATR 42-320 at Opa Locka Airport in Miami, Florida

PNC-2041 as seen at Opa Locka (KOPF) on 24th March 2012

Aircraft 0241 seen on the ramp in Bogota (BOG)

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: With their known and established abilities to have both, actively paid informants and aviation / aircraft spotters eyes able to report from the three major airports within Miami-Dade, hence Miami International Airport (KMIA), Opa Locka (KOPF) and Tamiami Airport (KTMB), AIRFORCES, Inc. monitors most and random activities of odd and often not seen aircraft within this region, as the case with the Colombian National Police ATR-42-320, with manufactures serial number (s/n 11) which was observed and recorded at Opa Locka Airport on 24th March 2012.

A review of ATR production and deliveries of the type aircraft based on its production serial number as well as a check of the aircraft Hull Insurance Policy via Lloyd's of London, as the Colombian National Police maintains its fleet operational risk insured via AON Insurance as placed within the London Insurance Market, has clearly indicated to AIRFORCES, Inc. that aircraft PNC-0241 is a one of kind within the Colombian National Police fleet of operational aircraft's according to their policy or as they say in London according to their "Slip".

Further analysis of the aircraft and its operational history research has indicated that the subject aircraft was acquired by the Colombian National Police as a second-hand, previously operated aircraft. Early and primary intelligence indicates that the aircraft was delivered to the Colombian National Police sometime in the early to middle part of 2009.

Further information on this particular aircraft will follow in time to come, as we here at AIRFORCES, Inc. have designated PNC-0241 as an aircraft of interest.