Somali Air Force | |
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Ciidamada Cirka Soomaaliyeed/القوات الجوية الصومالية | |
Founded | 1960 |
Country | Somalia |
Part of | Somali Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Afsione, Mogadishu |
Motto(s) | Somali: Isku Tiirsada "Lean Together" |
Ensign | |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief | President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud |
Chief of the Armed Forces | Major General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow |
Chief of the Air Force | Brigadier General Mohamud Sheikh Ali |
Notable commanders | Brigadier General Ali Matan Hashi |
Insignia | |
Roundel | |
Fin Flash | |
Flag of the Air Force |
The Somali Air Force (SAF; Somali: Ciidamada Cirka Soomaaliyeed, Osmanya:, CCS; Arabic: القوات الجوية الصومالية, Al-Qūwāt al-Gawwīyä as-Ṣūmālīyä) is the aerial warfare branch of the Somali Armed Forces. The Somali Air Force was initially formed as the Somali Aeronautical Corps (SAC) during its pre-independence period (1954–1960), with Italian and Soviet assistance. After Somalia gained independence in 1960, it was renamed the Somali Air Force. Ali Matan Hashi, Somalia's first pilot and the person principally responsible for organizing the SAF, was its founder and served as its first Chief.The Somali Air Force is currently active with a fleet of 11 aircraft and has upcoming deliveries of 26 additional aircraft.