ABOUT THE MIG-29 of FAV
That is a rumor that appear at the Air Forces Monthly magazine that it is not true and probably Tony C picked up from the forum of our site. Here is what happened:
There is this guy, Henrico Angerman, from the Netherlands, that like to visit web sites such as "Fuerzas Militares Dominicanas" and the venezuelan site "FAV-CLUB" to read expositions and rumors that go around between military enthusiasts and sometime those rumors are picked up from government sources or news. Then, this Dutch man has the balls to write about those rumors and send emails to those European magazines that believe him (Mr. Angerman was "dismissed" from the Dutch defense magazine "Scramble" because of that).
No lone ago, the same magazine reported another similar note where my name was as the sender. In that note was reported the acquisition by the Dominican Air Force of 3 Sea King and 11 UH-1H Helicopters. Are you imagining when I picked up the magazine, here in Florida, and saw my name attached to that news?
Well, Mr. Angerman sent that news using my name as the source without any permission. He just made up that news from unofficial and official sources. Those helicopters were approved by the US Congress (in 2002) to be transferred to the Dominican Republic but until now nothing had happened with them. They are not in the Dominican Republic after all.
The same happen with the Super Tucano that was announced by EMBRAER in 2001 to be sale to the Dominican Air Force. EMBRAER made a mistake in announcing that sale (you know how the military is in DR). And immediately they (Dominican Government) canceled the order. But if you go and visit many military sites in the Internet, all have the Super Tucano listed in service with the FAD. Moreover, that airplane was delivered for the first time during the summer 2003 to the Brazilian Air Force. That is a new version of the Tucano family.
Again, the same happened with 10 Brazilian helicopters that the government of president Fernandez wanted to buy for the FAD. That just was an "Intent to purchase" letter.... but you find in many military web sites that the Dominican Republic has 10 AS330 helicopters from Brazil.
The same happened with the MIG-29SMT for the FAV. The MIG-29SMT is the latest version and more capable combat version of the MIG-29. It only is in service with the Russian Air Force. It has about 30% more capable that the export version that Cuba has. And 20% more than the MIG-29E in service with the Peruvian Air Force. Russia had put this aircraft on sale since 2000 but everyone perfect the Sukhoi SU-37MK rather than the MIG29. The FAV (Venezuelan Air Force) just did an "indented to purchase" letter to Russia. And the Venezuela congress did not approved the purchase due the economical crisis of the government.
That was really happened.
Responding of the capability of the MIG-29 to reach DR from Venezuela. The FAV right now have F-16A/B, Mirage 50, VF-5A (Venezuelan version of the F-5) that can reach the DR without problem and the FAD does not have anything to stop them...practically a Learjet with drugs can cruise right now the DR air space without being challenge by the FAD.
There was an incident in 1977-78 with MIG21 from the FAARC (Cuban Air Force) that were flying over Puerto Plata and Santiago, inclusive Fidel was planning to bomb San Isidro and the Dominican Armed Forces Headquarter at 27 de Febrero Avenue if Balaguer did not deliver the Cuban fishing boat that was in custody by the Dominican authorities in Puerto Plata.
You can read about that at my site
www.fuerzasmildom.com was written by a Cuban friend, Ruben Urribares.
Chris Colon....listen.... the FAV pilots are in the same categories as the USAF's pilots two time they were invated to RED FLAGS and the Second time was requeted by the US pilots because they are that good! Do not over estimate the training of the Venezuelan pilots... my friend. I am Dominican who know what I am talking about. Where do you think the FAD send their pilots to take avanced course in aviation and tactics? They all go to Venezuela.