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Botswana Defence Force Air WingThe Botswana Defence Force Air Wing was formed in 1977 as a result of rising tension in the area and is the air force of Botswana. All squadrons are designated with a Z, which has no meaning but is just used as a designation for "squadron". The main base is Molepolole which was built mostly by foreign contractors from 1992 and was finished round 1996. Other bases used are the International Airport at Gaborone and Francistown. The backbone of the Air Wing is formed by ex Canadian CF-116s which are locally designated as CF-5s. Thirteen ex-Canadian CF-116s (ten single-seater CF-5As and three trainer CF-5Bs) were ordered in 1996 to replace the Strikemasters, with another three single-seaters and two dual-seaters delivered in 2000. For transport the Air Wing uses BN-2A/B, C212, CN235 and C-130Bs. Latest addition to the transport fleet was an ex-AMARC C-130B to complement the two existing aircraft. In 2000, three additional AS350BA helicopters were bought for Z21, bringing the total to eight. The single Italian built AB412 has been replaced by an Bell 412EP in VIP-configuration. Z21 has a total of six Bell 412s of which the Bell412EP is being used by the VIP-Flight. Flying training is done on seven PC-7s. The VIP flight uses besides the Bell412 a Gulfstream and a Be200. In 1993 nine ex US Army/AMARC O-2As were delivered for use in the battle against poaching. Source: Scramble.nl Botswana Air Wing
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