Swiss 90 years

In 2004, the Schweizer Luftwaffe () will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The very same year will also mark the start of Armee XXI, the reference for the restructured armed forces. A review of the current Swiss air force.

Text and photos: Emiel Sloot

On 1 January 1996, the previous Armee 95 structure Armee XXI programme by referendum on 18 May was established, following an earlier cost-cutting 2003. The armed forces will still largely depend on and efficiency improvement programme that had militia personnel with lasting neutrality as keyword, resulted in a downsized air arm, while the anti- since the country will not join any military alliance. aircraft defence was integrated within the air force. Regarding the air force, Armee XXI means a Air bases at Ambri, St. Stephan and had significant decrease in numbers of both equipment closed, after the Hunter fleet was withdrawn from and units. The F-5E Tiger fleet was reduced from 85 service in December 1994. The Armee XXI plan was to 54 aircraft, while of some 63 Alouette IIIs, only 35 launched in October 2001 as another project to cut remain. The Mirage IIIRS and Hawk Mk 66 have costs and shrink the size of the armed forces, in been completely withdrawn. This left the air force order to make them more flexible, efficient and solely dependent on the realtime TV and IR sensors effective, as Armee 95 was felt to be no longer on their RUAG ADS95 Ranger UAVs regarding reflecting the current needs. Although no direct aerial reconnaissance, and also created a large gap threat exists, airspace breaches such as those between the Pilatus PC-7 and F-5F for during international meetings like G8 and World training. The reductions allowed the air force to Economic Forum meetings, attacks on Swiss UN abandon more air bases, such as , troops abroad, and terrorist attacks on Swiss or Buochs, Interlaken and Lodrino (the latter three now neighbouring soils, are all regarded as main have a ‘sleeping’ status), while base possible threats. Ulrichen already closed in 1999. An ongoing discussion involves the suspension of jet flying from Armee XXI Dübendorf, now still one of the main bases. Following parliamentary approval on 4 October Simultaneous to the mentioned cuts, the emphasis 2002, 76 pct of the Swiss voters confirmed the on air transport increased, as 12 AS532UL Cougars were taken on charge in 2001 and 2002. all equipment. Furthermore, the Florako air surveillance radar Aircraft are assigned on a daily basis to the various system, consisting of fixed (including - units by Fliegerbrigade 31, depending on their operated civil systems) and mobile Taflir radar sites, needs, so they rotate very frequently. In peacetime, control and training centres, will become fully the Überwachungsgeschwader (UeG) consists of operational in 2005, concluding a contract worth the three F/A-18 squadrons (, SFR 728 million. The air force’s F/A-18C and -D Escadrille d’Aviation 17 and ) that Hornets are presently receiving an avionics generally operating out of Dübendorf and , upgrade. and the Gruppe Hubschrauber Lufttransport des The air arm’s current main task is air defence and air UeG (Helicopter Air Transport Group), that is policing. Situated in the heart of Europe, a huge directed from . Directly controlled by number of aircraft cross Swiss airspace daily. Fliegerbrigade 31 are Zielflugstaffel 12 (target Furthermore, the 11 September 2001 attacks have towing squadron 12, equipped with PC-9s); shown vulnerability to slow-moving intruders. A good Instrumentenflugstaffel 14 (IF training squadron 14, example to counteract these was the industrial G8 with PC-7s); Ausbildungs- und Dienststaffel 16 summit, that took place at Evian in June 2003, when (training and service squadron 16 with F-5Fs); and Hornets flew combat air patrols over the meeting Drohnenstaffel 7 (drone squadron 7, with ADS95 site. Other tasks are various transportation tasks, Rangers). These four units can operate out of aerial reconnaissance, SAR, medevac and disaster different bases, depending to their missions, rather relief. All these duties are carried out by the than having a fixed home base. Überwachungsgeschwader (air surveillance wing) In times of mobilisation, it will become a rather with F/A-18 Hornets and transport aircraft. The air force trains its own personnel to meet their high standards.

Organization The difference between peace and wartime organizations, together with the flexible use of air bases in the heart of the alpine region, make the Swiss air force rather unique. Directly responsible to the chief of staff is the chief of operations, who controls four brigades: Fliegerbrigade 31 (Air Force Brigade 31), controlling all flying units (except for the pilot schools); Flugplatzbrigade different story. The around 30,000 militia air force 32 ( Brigade 32) is responsible for the air personnel will return to active duty, and join the base equipment and infrastructure; 1,950 full-time staff. Three militia squadrons Flugabwehrbrigade 33 (Anti-Aircraft Brigade 33), operating F-5E Tiger IIs will become fully with its Oerlikon 63/90 35-mm AAA, and operational: Escadrille d’Aviation 6, and Stinger guided missile regiments, protects all armed Fliegerstaffeln 8 and 19. Furthermore, the transport forces installations; and Informatikbrigade 34 (C³I squadrons will also be reinforced with militiamen Brigade 34) handles command, control and and -women. The Hornet squadrons are manned communications intelligence matters, as well as exclusively by full-time pilots. Nominal squadron airspace surveillance. The Florako surveillance strength is eight aircraft plus three reserve, and system is also controlled by Brigade 34. The some dozen pilots. Hornet’s onboard sensors can be linked to Florako Next, all units will relocate to their wartime locations. for a realtime picture. Beside these brigades, In Armee XXI, three fighter bases will each house Luftwaffenunterhaltsdienst 35 (Air Force one F/A-18 and one F-5 squadron. Payerne will host Maintenance Service 35) maintains and overhauls Fliegergeschwader 11 (air wing 11 controlling Esc Av 6 and 17). houses Fliegergeschwader 13 Due to the 2001 Swissair bankruptcy, the career (Fl St 8 and 11), while at Sion Fliegergeschwader 14 perspectives for them have become rather (Fl St 18 and 19) will be based. Four air transport pessimistic, unfortunately. Before that, they could wings with a total of seven squadrons of Super easily enter Swissair with an advantageous place on Pumas, Cougars, Alouette IIIs and PC-6s will the seniority list of pilots, but this has changed relocate to Payerne (Lufttransportgeschwader 1 with dramatically now with the new Swiss Airlines laying Escadrille de Transport Aérien 1 and off aircrew. Some pilots have tried to return to the air Lufttransportstaffel 5), Alpnach (LT Geschw 2 with force for full-time, but since the air force has hardly LT St 6 and 8) , and Dübendorf (LT Geschw 3 any vacancies as well, only a handful former full- with LT St 3 and 4), and Emmen (LT Geschw 7 with time pilots succeeded. LT St 7). Hornets Currently, the air force is spearheaded by its F/A- 18C/D Hornets. The SFR 3.49 billion order, placed in 1992 for 34 Block 48/49 aircraft (26 C and 8 D) and a large supply of spares, survived a national referendum on 6 June 1993, calling for cancellation. The first two aircraft (one single and one dual) were built by McDonnell Douglas in 1996, while as offset returns, the remainder was assembled by Swiss Aircraft & Systems Enterprise Corporation (S+F) in Emmen. The first of these (F/A-18D J-5232) first flew on 3 October 1996, and deliveries took place between 23 January To support the flying units, the based 1997 and 2 December 1999. The main spars are Flugplatzabteilung (air base department) and Flieger strengthened to extend the life time to 5,000 flying Kompagnie (aviation company) are responsible for hours. The US-built F/A-18D has unfortunately been the base infrastructure and the ground handling of lost in an accident due to pilot disorientation near the aircraft, including armament. Of the remaining Crans-Montana on 7 April 1998. The Hornets operational air bases, only Meiringen can house replaced all Mirage IIISs and some F-5Es, and equip fighters in cavern mountain hangars. These facilities Fl St 11, Esc Av 17 and Fl St 18 of the have been extensively overhauled for the last five Überwachungsgeschwader. Armament consists of years to house a squadron of F/A-18s, with four AIM-9L Sidewinders and four AIM-120B reconstructions completed by 23 October 2003. AMRAAM missiles. No air-to-ground weapons have To maintain the operational standard of especially been acquired by the Swiss. the militia squadrons, these are annually being Avionics include an AN/APG-73 radar and an activated for three weeks in a row, during which they AN/ALQ-165 ASPJ integrated ECM system. Until operate out of their destined wartime locations. 2006, SFR 407 million is put aside for a two-phase These exercises are called Wiederholungskurs upgrade programme, involving active AN/APX-111 (repetitive course), and involves all flying and IFF, a MIDS NATO compatible Link 16 datalink surface units related to a specific base. Beside this, terminal, improved moving map, an upgraded the squadrons also undergo half-a-dozen one-week mission computer and helmet-mounted cueing training courses (Trainungskurs) each year, that are systems, compatible to the AIM-9X. flown from various locations and are meant to maintain proficiency. Most militia pilots have Tigers for sale joined Swiss Airlines after their military career, and The F-5E Tiger entered Swiss service in 1978. annually fly some 50 hours to practice their skills. Under the Peace Alps contract, 66 F-5Es and 6 F- 5Fs were ordered in March 1976, of which 53 single- place in prior delivery, with a specialized seaters were assembled locally by then FFA at US company as sub-contractor. According to Swiss Emmen, with the remainder airlifted by USAF C- air force officials, none of their F-5Fs will be 5As. The aircraft replaced ageing Hawker Hunters of available for sale in due time. which most were transferred to other units, replacing Due to the reduction in aircraft, Fl St 1 and Fl St 13 even older DH Venoms on their turn. A follow-up disbanded in December 2003. Tigers continue to order of 38 additional Tigers (32 -Es and 6 -Fs), serve with militia squadrons Esc Av 6, Fl St 8 and Fl known as Peace Alps II, was signed in 1981 with St 19. Armed with two AIM-9Ps, their main task is air deliveries completed by March 1985. So far, the F- defence. Furthermore, Ausbildungs- und 5s have served with Fl St 1, 8, 11, 13, 18, 19, Esc Dienststaffel 16 operates the dual-seat F-5Fs for Av 6 and Ausb St 16. advanced training and aggressor duties. For the latter, a Vista 5 ECM jamming pod can be carried by three modified aircraft, controlled by an operator in the backseat.

Transport duties The Swiss air force has seven squadrons involved in various air transport duties of troops, cargo, VIPs, disaster relief as well as medevac. Lufttransportstaffel 7 (air transport squadron 7) forms the sole fixed wing component with their 16 Pilatus PC-6/B2-H2M and -B2-H2M-1 Turbo Porter versatile STOL aircraft, in use since 1966. Although the squadron cadre is based As a result of Armee XXI, only 54 F-5Es of 85 at Emmen, aircraft and crew can be dispersed remaining airframes (four are kept in storage while depending to their missions. nine have been lost in accidents) will stay in service, until at least 2010. Some 20 Tigers will even soldier on for advanced training until around 2016. Thirty- two of the surplus aircraft have been sold to the US on 14 February 2003, for USD 18.6 million. There, they will replace USNavy (VFC-13 at NAS Fallon) and USMC (VMFT-401 at MCAS Yuma) Tigers, that have logged much more flying hours and suffered much airframe stress. Delivery of the first aircraft (serialled J-3026), after overhaul by RUAG company at Emmen, was planned for March 2003 but was temporarily suspended by the Swiss government in a reaction to the US-led war against the then Iraqi regime. On 3 May 2003, it was airlifted by USN Hercules. Annually, some four to five aircraft will follow, concluding the contract in September 2007. Since 1 January 2004, the other six transport More Tiger sales are reported to be in the pipeline squadrons (Escadrille de Transport Aérien 1, and though contracts have yet to be signed. The Lufttransportstaffeln 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8) operate a mix Philippines have expressed interest in acquiring of Cougar, Super Puma and Alouette III . Tigers to replace their F-5A/Bs, while Brazil opts for Twelve Eurocopter AS532UL Cougars, locally a small number of F-5Es to be converted to dual- designated as TH98 (Transport Helicopter 98 – seat aircraft, since their air arm has an acute need referring to the year of acquire) were ordered in for trainers. The airframe conversion should take December 1998 for SFR 320 million. Deliveries were completed on 27 September 2002, the latter ten AS332M1 Super Pumas were already acquired being completed by Emmen-based S+F. These earlier, in two batches of three and twelve in 1986 helicopters feature digital avionics like multi-function and 1989 (local designations TH86 and TH89). Of displays, a flight management system and an the 84 versatile but ageing SA316B Alouette IIIs integrated self-defence system (ISSYS) with RWR, originally delivered, only 35 survive to serve in IR missile sensors and flare dispensers. One is Armee XXI. Plans to replace the Alouettes by a mix configured for VIP transport and based at Bern-Belp. of 15 light liaison/training and 8 armed transport helicopters from 2007 have not resulted in any order yet. About two dozen of Alouettes will anyway serve on for at least another decade for rotary wing training. For more specialized and long-range transportation, such as supporting detachments and exercises abroad and VIP transport, the air force has single examples of the , Learjet 35A and Beech Super King Air 350C. Two elderly Dornier 27H-2 still serve since 1958 as aerial photography platforms with the Ressort Luftaufklärung (Aerial Reconnaissance Service). Finally, a single DHC-6- 300 Twin Otter of the Bundesamt für Landestopographie (Swiss Federal Office of Topography) is flown and maintained by the air force. All mentioned aircraft usually operate out of Dübendorf.

Miscellaneous units For towing target banners over the armed forces ranges, eleven Pilatus PC-9 aircraft carrying the RM24 system serve with Zielflugstaffel 12 (target towing squadron 12). Equipped with the Vista 5 pod, that can also be carried by the F-5F, they also fly ECM jamming missions for training purposes. The Gruppe Rüstung (Arms Group) is the armed forces test and trials unit, which falls under direct responsibility of the ministry for defence and sports. Beside operating a Pilatus PC-12EG for Florako air surveillance system trials and one permanently attached F-5E, they could loan other aircraft from the air force on a temporary basis.

Pilot training With the present size of the air force, only some ten new pilots have to be selected and trained annually to fulfil the needs. After a year of basic military training, students join the civilian Aeroclub der Schweiz (Swiss Aeroclub) in Lucerne for basic flying training up to JAR ATPL level for another year. In the third year, training is continued by the Pilotenschule at Locarno-Magadino, that falls under the air force training command. It is equipped with the indigenous Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer. Forty of these were bought by the air force in June 1983, with deliveries starting one year later. Presently, only a dozen of the 37 aircraft still on strength are currently used by the school, while the remainder is spread over the various bases for liaison duties. Instructors of Instrumentenflugstaffel 14 (IFR training squadron The Cougars are the latest addition to the air force, 14) also use these aircraft for IF-training. Currently, according plans to expand the transport capacity as 18 PC-7s receive a cockpit upgrade to conform their laid down in Armee XXI. Fifteen Aerospatiale instruments to international JAR requirements. hundred hours on the F-5, pilots transfer to the F/A- During the 125-flying hours course, the class 18. Today, some pilots receive their conversion temporarily moves to Sion for practising flying in training with USNavy’s VFA-125 at NAS Lemoore mountain regions. Flying over and between the Alps due to a temporary lack of training facilities. When is a second nature for Swiss pilots, and is trained pilots have served their eight-year contract, they from the start. Some mountain bases have a very might transform to militia pilots with one of the F-5E steep approach angle. For example, Turtmann had units. an 11° glide slope to its runway. Future transport pilots receive either basic rotary wing training on the Alouette III with the Pilotenschule Hubschrauber- linie (Helicopter Pilot School) at Alpnach or convert to one of the fixed wing types.

International exercises and deployments From October 2002, one Super Puma has been attached to support the Swiss KFOR detachment in Kosovo. To relieve its own airspace, but also to exploit some diverse possibilities not available at home, the air force has diverted abroad for various exercises for over 25 years. During three times between 1977 and 1986, the air force operated out of Vidsel, for live-firing exercises – both air-to-air and air- to-ground. From 1985 to 1989, annual detachments at Graduates that are destined for jet flying used to Decimomannu, Sardinia took place, while from 1991 continue their training with Pilotenschule II at to 2000, the air force visited RAF Waddington for Emmen and Sion flying the Hawk Mk 66, but these training over the ACMI range with Hornets and aircraft were withdrawn in December 2002 under Tigers in their Nordseekampagne (Norka – North Armee XXI, due to the very small number of pilots in Sea Campaign) exercises. From 2000, F/A-18 crews training recently. Armed with two AIM-9L have participated here in similar but multinational Sidewinders and a centreline 20-mm gun pod, the annual NOMAD exercises. Other bilateral exercises aircraft had a secondary role as point air defence have become common as well, like exchanges fighters. The 19 Hawks, all with a low number of between the Überwachungsgeschwader and the flying hours, have been put into storage at their two German JG-73 with their MiG-29s, while Belgian F- home bases. So far, the United Arab Emirates have 16s have operated out of Dübendorf twice so far. shown interest in obtaining these aircraft after extensive overhaul by RUAG Aerospace to augment their own Mk 61/63s, but an order has yet failed to materialize. With the Hawk no longer in service, trainee jet pilots now join the Pilotenschule Jet- linie (Jet Pilot School) at Emmen, with a detachment at Sion, for transfer to the F- 5F. Although these aircraft are regarded as easy and suitable training instruments, the leap from Turbo Trainer to Tiger is quite large, and might need reconsideration. After accumulating a few Another memorandum-of-understanding involving around 2008. Since the F/A-18C production line has exercises has been signed together with , closed already, they will have to look for alternatives Sweden and Finland. In view of this, five F/A-18s like the Typhoon, Rafale or Gripen, although no visited Ørland, Norway in October 2003. Finally, the official shortlist of candidates has been presented air force participates in various Partnership for yet. Up to 12 surplus F/A-18C/Ds were sought to Peace events such as the international rapid augment the existing Hornet fleet, but no suitable deployment exercise Cooperative Key. airframes seem to be available anywhere at this time. According to air force plans, the new aircraft Demo teams should cover three squadrons, of which the first 11 Despite the cost reductions, the Swiss air force will will have a primary reconnaissance task to fill the maintain their two official air demonstration teams as well-recognized lack of airborne sensors, partly ambassadors. The pilots involved are, however, all caused by retiring the Mirage IIIRS. The SHARP operational crew, who rehearse and display mostly podded system, to be carried by F/A-18s, is in their spare time. During the last decade, Emmen- currently evaluated as well. A second squadron of 11 based – equipped with six will reinstate the air-to-ground capability with red/white F-5Es that replaced their Hunters in 1995 precision-guided weapons, after retiring Maverick- – has been a regular guest at European air shows. equipped Hunters in 1994. The last squadron – to The other formation is the PC-7 Team, formed by be delivered by 2015 – will provide air defence. Major Res Dubs to display at the Swiss Air Force Competition at Dübendorf in 1989. With no less than nine aircraft, they perform some 12 shows annually, of which some abroad. Aircraft are loaned from various units and bases, while like Patrouille Suisse, the pilots are all volunteers of the air surveillance wing.

Acquiring two medium (up to 9 tonnes) transport planes to support Swiss exercises and detachments abroad will be another issue. The EADS/CASA 295M was selected initially on 5 December 2000 in favour of the LMTAS/Alenia C-27J, but the acquisition was cancelled by the parliament since UN missions abroad are limited. Both aircraft types Like the air force itself, both teams will have are still in the picture, as is the need for an even celebrations during 2004, with Patrouille Suisse larger transport like A400Ms, that will arise when the existing for 40 years (established in 1964 for the Swiss will participate in UN detachments further Expo 64 demonstration), while the PC-7 Team has away. For this, however, they might have to rely on been active for 15 years. The three anniversaries foreign transports. will form the core of the large international air show Although the number of aircraft, squadrons and Air 04 to be held at Payerne on 4 and 5 September bases have become quite limited, compared to the 2004. recent past, the modern equipment, the high professional standard and the flexible organization Future projects should make the Swiss confident in having a potent Over the next few years, the Swiss parliament will air arm to reach their century celebration in a face some much-needed investments for their future decade. ■ air force. The replacement of the remaining F-5 Tigers by 33 multi-role fighters will become imminent © 2004 Organization Swiss Air Force from 1 January 2004

■ Chief of Staff ■ Operations ■ Fliegerbrigade 31 (Fl Brig 31) ■ Zielflugstaffel 12 PC-9 Emmen * ■ Instrumentenflugstaffel 14 PC-7 Dübendorf * ■ Ausbildungs und Dienststaffel 16 F-5E/F Emmen * ■ Drohnenstaffel 7 ADS95 UAV Emmen * ■ VIP Flight Learjet 35A / Falcon 50 / Be350C Dübendorf ■ Ressort Luftaufklärung Dornier 27 Dübendorf

■ (peacetime) Überwachungsgeschwader (UeG) ■ Fliegerstaffel 11 F/A-18C/D Dübendorf ■ Escadrille d’Aviation 17 F/A-18C/D Payerne ■ Fliegerstaffel 18 F/A-18C/D Payerne ■ Gruppe Hubschrauber Alpnach Lufttransport des UeG ■ Escadrille de Transp. Aérien 1 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Payerne ■ Lufttransportstaffel 3 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach ■ Lufttransportstaffel 4 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Dübendorf ■ Lufttransportstaffel 5 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach ■ Lufttransportstaffel 6 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach ■ Lufttransportstaffel 7 PC-6 Emmen ■ Lufttransportstaffel 8 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach

■ (mobilisation) ■ Fliegergeschwader 11 Payerne ■ Escadrille d’Aviation 6 F-5E Payerne ■ Escadrille d’Aviation 17 F/A-18C/D Payerne ■ Fliegergeschwader 13 Meiringen ■ Fliegerstaffel 8 F-5E Meiringen ■ Fliegerstaffel 11 F/A-18C/D Meiringen ■ Fliegergeschwader 14 Sion ■ Fliegerstaffel 18 F/A-18C/D Sion ■ Fliegerstaffel 19 F-5E Sion ■ Lufttransportgeschwader 1 Payerne ■ Escadrille de Transp. Aérien 1 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Payerne ■ Lufttransportstaffel 5 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Payerne ■ Lufttransportgeschwader 2 Alpnach ■ Lufttransportstaffel 6 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach ■ Lufttransportstaffel 8 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Alpnach ■ Lufttransportgeschwader 3 Dübendorf ■ Lufttransportstaffel 3 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Mollis ■ Lufttransportstaffel 4 Alouette III / Super Puma / Cougar Dübendorf ■ Lufttransportgeschwader 7 Emmen ■ Lufttransportstaffel 7 PC-6 Emmen ■ Drohnengeschwader 7 Emmen ■ Drohnenstaffel 7 ADS95 UAV various locations

■ Ausbildungskommando ■ Pilotenschule PC-7 Locarno-Magadino ■ Pilotenschule Jet-Linie F-5F Emmen & Sion ■ Pilotenschule Hubschrauber-linie Alouette III Alpnach

* Home base of respective unit. Operations do, however, take place from various bases. Occasionally, this applies to all other units as well.

Articles and images on the Swiss Air Force exercises, types and/or Armee XXI, have been published in various aviation magazines such as International Air Power Review (UK/USA – Vol.9); Air International (UK – Vol.66 No.2); Air Forces Monthly (UK – No.183, 189 & 191); Combat Aircraft (UK – Vol.6 No.3); Onze Luchtmacht (NL – Vol.54 No.3); JP4 ( – No.353, 360 & 368); J-Wings (Japan – No.107) and Koku-Fan (Japan – No.577 & 609). ■