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FATHER OF THE ROYAL THAI AIR FORC7E FIELD MARSHAL HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE CHAKRABONGSE BHUVANATH KROM LUANG BISANULOK PRAJANATH

THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE8 LIEUTENANT THIP CAPTAIN LUANG KETUTHAT ARWUT SIKIKORN (LONG SINSUK) LUANG SAKDI SANLAYAWUT (SUNEE SUWANPRATEEP)

- 1912 9 • The Balkan War between Serbia, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria broke out, resulting in Bulgaria losing the war and a part of its territory. This tragic incident eventually led to World War 1. • Major Luang Sakdi sanlayawut successfully flew the Breguet aircraft and Captain Lumg Arwut Sikikorn also flew the Nieuport aircraft over the French skyline, marking the first time in history that aircraft were flown by Thai pilots. - 1913 • The Ministry of War ordered four Nieuport monoplanes and three Breguet III biplanes. Later Chao Praya Aphai Bhubet (Chum Aphaivong) donated a fourth Breguet lll to the Ministry of War, the number to eight aircraft. The air power of Siam began with eight airplanes. • On January 13, 1913. His Majesty King Vajiravudh presided over a demonstration flight the three pilots conducted the first flying demonstration at Sra Pathum Racecourse. This day has become “National Aviation Day”.

- 1914 10 • The Army Aviation Unit was moved from Sra Pathum Racecourse to higher ground at Don Muang. On March 8, 1914, the three pilots touched down their airplanes on the newly constructed airfield at Don Muang for the first time. On March 27, 1914, the ministry of defense established the Army Air Corps. The Royal Thai Air Force celebrates this date as Air Force Commemoration Day. • On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb member of Young Bosnia, assassinated the heir to Austria-Hungary throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Bosnia. This became the starting point of World War 1. - 1915 The French were the first to develop an effective solution. On April 1, 1915, French pilot Roland Garros took to air in an airplane armed with a machine gun that fired through its propeller.

- 1916 11 F40 AIRCRAFT Henry Farman and younger brother, THAI SOLDIERS IN WORLD WAR I Maurice, created the F40 aircraft for the British army to be used as a patrol aircraft during World War 1. Later, it was developed into the world’s first bomber aircraft. - 1917 On July 22, 1917, Thailand decided to declare war on the Central Powers and a Thai expeditionary force was sent to Europe. The Participation in the war provided the opportunities for flying training. After returning to Thailand, this trained contingent became a valuable resource in the country’s aviation development.

- 1918 12 • US troops sided with the allied ARMISTICE DAY countries and Germany eventually agreed to ceasefire on November 11, 1918. This historical day became known as Armistice Day, marking a great victory for the allies and the end of World War 1. • On March 19, 1918, with the growth and expansion of Thai Aviation, the status of the Army Air Crop was raised to became “The Army Air Division”

- 1919 13 On February 17, 1919, the first airmail service trial flight took place from Don Muang to Chanthaburi Province. THE FIRST AIRMAIL SERVICE TRIAL FLIGHT - 1920 The UK’s Royal Air Force opened an aviation college in Cranwell and performed its first air show in London.

THE AMBULANCE PLANE (BREGUET) 14 - 1921 • On June 27, 1921, smallpox and cholera epidemics broke out in Warin Chamrap, Ubol Ratchethani. The Army Air Division sent Breguet biplane from Nakhon Rachasima aircraft to deliver a doctor and medical supplies for the relief of suffering. • On December 1, 1921, The Army Air Division was changed to the “Aeronautical Department”.

- 1924 15 BIPLANES (DOUGLAS CRUISER) The year marked the first successful flight around the world with 4 biplanes, (Douglas Cruiser) TWO-SEAT BOMBERS of the U.S. Army Air Corps. They took off from Sand (PARIBATRA OR BORIPAT) Point in Washington on April 6,1924 and the journey took 175 days, covering a distance of 44,342 kilometers. On September 28, 1924, they were able to land safely in Seattle. - 1927 Lieutenant Colonel Luang Vechayan Rangsarit designed the two-seat bombers and was constructed by Aeronautical factory. The test flight was conducted on June23, 1927. This aircraft was named “Paribatra” (pronounced Boripat) by his majesty the king.

16 LIEUTENANT COLONEL LUANG VECHAYAN RANGSARIT DESIGNED THE TWO-SEAT BOMBERS (PARIBATRA)

- 1935 17 On April 12, 1935, the Aeronautical Department became the “Air Force Division” reporting directly to the Ministry of Defense. - 1937 On April 9, 1937. The Air Force Division was designated the Royal Thai air Force. This day in commemorated as “Air Force Day”. - 1939 World War 2 broke out and fighter aircraft became an important weapon of the war. This period also marks the birth of the first jet aircrafts.

18 - 1940 During the Indochina Conflict, the Royal Thai Air Force took an active role in air offensive and in leading the Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Navy in the operations. - 1941 JAPANESE FIGHTER PLANES ATTACKED A US MILITARY BASE • Japanese fighter planes attacked a US military base in Pearl Harbor, leading to the US’s declaration of war against Japan. • On December 8, 1941, In “The Greater East Asia War”, Japanese troops landed on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand in order to gain passage to attack British force in Burma and Malaya. Air Force personnel at Wing 5, Prachuap Khiri Khan, fought back Japanese for thirty- two hours before and order to ceasefire reach them.

THE KOREAN WAR 19 - 1947 On September 18, 1947, the US Air Force (USAF) was formed with implementation of the National Security Act. Today, it is the most technologically advanced air force in the world. - 1950 The task force contingents of the Royal Thai Air Force would serve South Korea to support the United Nations in Korean War.

ADVANCEMENT 20 - 1950 F-80 C FIGHTER PLANE MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MIG-15 The first war to involve jet aircraft happened on November 8, 1950 during the Korean War. It was a duel between the F-80 C fighter plane from the fighter plane, MIG-15, of North Korea, flown by a Russian pilot. - 1954 The Thai Air Force stepped into a new era of jet aircraft when the United States delivered the T-33A jet trainer aircrafts, the Royal Thai Air Force’s first trainer aircraft.

-1955 21 The Royal Thai Air Force received the F-84G jet aircrafts from the United States which became the first type of jet aircrafts to join the air force’s fleet. F-84G THUNDERJET - 1963 On December 22, 1963, the SR-71 Blackbird had its first test flight and proved its speed at 3 times faster than the speed of sound. It was widely accepted as the world’s faster aircraft. SR-71 BLACKBIRD

- 1966 22 The Royal Thai Air F-5B FIGHTER JETS Force acquired F-5B fighter jets from the United States which became the air force’s first type of Supersonic aircrafts.

23 - 1972 The Air Force assigned aircrafts to join in the Royal Rainmaking Project for the first time in 1972 and has continued this mission until today. The air force is constantly on a mission to assist the public during natural disasters and coordinating with units by means of supplying manpower, equipment and aircrafts to areas where help is needed.

- 1983 24 The..year..marked..the creation F-117A (A STEALTH ATTACK AIRCRAFT) of the F-117A, a stealth attack aircraft undetectable by order. It was specifically designed to targets on the battlefield. -2016 The Solar Impulse 2 made a new chapter in aviation history as it is the first solar powered airplane to successfully fly around the world. SOLAR IMPULSE 2

25 The development of airspace authority to “One of the best Air Forces in ASEAN”, prepared to protect the national security. In commemoration of Air Force’s Forefathers’ Centennial in the year 2012.

26 In recent years, many countries have been implementing cyber and space technology in military operations. The air force realizes the importance of potential there that may arise from this technology and has setup an air force cyber center and space operations center to protect and monitor any potential invasion. In addition, an agreement regarding communication within Thai territory and the use of cyber technology has been settled in order to secure national sovereignty and rights as the main priority.

ZONE 2 THE FIRST THAI AVIATOR

- 1911 28 His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) realized the country development to progress and protect the kingdom from incoming threats. So His Majesty King Vajiravuch envisioned the Ministry of War to send three qualified army officers to attended aviation course in France. They depart for France on February 28, 1911 and arrived in Paris March 27, 1911. 1. Major Luang Sakdi Salyavudh 2. Captain Luang Arvudhsikikorn 3. Lieutenant Thip Ketudat While the three army officers were in training the Ministry of War ordered four Nieuport monoplanes (Nieuport IIN and Nieuport IVG) and three Breguet biplanes (Breguet III) from France. Chao Phya Aphai Pubet purchased a fourth Breguet Type III and donated the airplane to the Ministry of War, bringing the number eight aircraft, comprising the first two aircraft types in Thailand.

29 PHRABAT SOMDET PHRA PARAMENTHRA MAHA VAJIRAVUDH PHRA MONGKUT KLAO CHAO YU HUA (RAMA VI)

THE BREGUET BIPLANE 30 THE NIEUPORT MONOPLANE THE FIRST PILOT OF SIAM After arrival, the three Thai army officers spent the first period of time learning French language. Then they began the aviation training on June 22, 1912. The first flying of Thai aviators was on July 2, 1912 when Major Luang Sakdi Salyavudh flew a Breguet biplane during his flying training at Villa Coublay Airport and Major Luang Arvudhsikikorn flew Nieuport monoplane during his flying training at Mourmelon-le- Grand. For Lieutenant Thip Ketudat, he flew a Nieuport monoplane on July 29, 1912.

31 The three officer’s accomplishment of the aviation training in France. • On October 8, 1912, Major Luang Sanlayavudh completed the aviation training and received the aviator certificate from the Aero-Club de France. Afterwards he attended the pilot training course conducted by the French Army and graduated on June 5, 1913. • Captain Thip Ketudat and Major Liang Arvudhsikikorn completed the aviation and received the aviator certificate from the Aero-Club de France on April 24, 1913, respectively.

32

ZONE 3 THAIS TO BUILD THEIR OWN AIRPLANE

Repair and Build 34 LUANG SAKDI SANLAYAWUT With only eight airplanes from (SUNEE SUWANPRATEEP) France, the Army Air Corp repaired and maintained aircraft to extended service life and efficiency use, while also helping to save the government budget. Later began to search for local materials are available within the country to be assembled into fuselage, wings, tails and propellers accept factory equipment and engines purchased from abroad to build its own airplanes. The first product was Breguet III from local Siamese woods. On May 24, 1915 Lt.Col.Phra Chalermakes made the first in a Siamese-built airplane as according to his determination that “We have to build our own airplane”

35 “THE PARIBATRA WAS THE FIRST AIRCRAFT DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE THAIS WITH PRIDE” Design of the new aircraft, designated Bomber type 2, was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel Luang Vechayan Rangsarit. The construction of the first prototype began on April 5, 1927 with its maiden flight on June 23, 1927. Shortly after the first flight, the aircraft was named Paripatra (pronounced Boripat) by His Majesty the King Rama VII after his half-brother, Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, the Minister of Defence. The Paripatra was the first aircraft designed and built by the Thais. It was also designed to be powered by different engines, such as Brisrol Jupiter and BMW.

36 After….the….Thai One….again….the government….accepted….the Paripatra….brought….fame….to invitation….for….the….British Thailand. After the French government,….the….three authorities….extended….an Paripatra set off on goodwill invitation….visit….French visit to India on December 22, Indochina, the Thai government 1929. Only one aircraft sent three Paripatra to Hanoi on completed the planned journey December….31,….1930….and to Delhi and returned to returned to Bangkok on Janury Thailand on January 23, 1930. 6, 1931.

37 TWO-SEAT BOMBERS (PARIBATRA OR BORIPAT

ZONE 4 IN DEFENSE OF THAI SOVEREIGNTY

CONFLICT 39 MAP OF THE LOSS OF TERRITORIES OF THAILAND During the colonial era, (1887-1907) Thailand lost its territory to France on five occasions. The Thai government made a suggestion to amend the boundary several times, not to mention how French military aircraft were known to fly over Thai airspace. Although the Thai government made a protest to the French government, they still continued to send surveillance over Thai airspace. Ultimately, this divergence led to the “Indochina Conflict”

VOUGHT V-93S/SA CORSAIR THE FIRST AERIAL WARFARE 40 CURTISS HAWK III IN INDOCHINA CONFLICT On November 28, 1940, Pilot officer Sanit Nualmanee, V-93s Corsairs pilot and Corporal Prayoon Sukumolchan who was rear air gunner intercepted Vichy French Air Forces single Potez and five Moran pursuit aircrafts that intruded into Thai airspace from the south of Nakhon Panom. The dogfight went on relentlessly, resulting in a Moran being shot down. Once ammunition ran out, the pilots tried to fly back while being airplanes to back them up. Eventually, the air-to-air combat ended with no lost lives from Thai side. This incident became the first Aerial Warfare in Thai history.

THE END OF THE INDOCHINA CONFLICT 41 Japan proposed itself to the Thai government and the French government requests to be a mediator in order to mediate the Indochina dispute on 25 January 1914, both parties established two delegations, one group negotiated to cease fire in Saigon Bay and another group went to negotiate peace in Tokyo.

ZONE 5 OUR AIR SOVEREIGNTY SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED

43 “Those who sacrificed their lives are true heroes who showed absolution for the country. They have done their duty perfectly as Thai citizens should and deserve to be recognized for their bravery. Everyone must honor the sacrifice of these brave men and follow in their footsteps as a guiding path for the benefit of the country.” His majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the great (King Rama 9) A speech given by His Majesty during a graduation ceremony at Kasetsart University At kasetsart University’s Conference Room on July 18, 1974

INDOCHINA CONFLICT HEROES 44 Bravery medals INDOCHINA CONFLICT HEROES With the Thai military performed duties in the conflict between Thailand and French Indochina. Some soldiers and policemen in the field able to fought against the enemy with resolute courage, without any dread to danger and sacrificing their lives for the nation. It is considered an act of honor and bravery. Announcement of the Thai government on July 27, 1941.

ZONE 6 IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY

F-8F BEARCAT 46 The Royal Thai Air Force’s Last propeller-driven Fighter Aircraft In the year 1951, the Royal Thai Air Force was delivered fifty F-8F Bearcats for air defense and group attack roles. The Royal Thai air Force was the final user of the Bearcats and they were the final piston-power fighters. Beginning in 1956, The F-8F Bearcats began to replace by the F-84G Thunder jets, the first Royal Thai Air Force jet fighter aircraft.

47 GRUMMAN F8F-1 BEARCAT

T-33 SHOOTING STAR 48 The Royal Thai Air Force’s First Jet Aircraft 1955, The year was a new year of jet aircrafts for the air force as the United States agreed to support the Royal Thai Air Force by supplying jet fighter aircrafts and providing training for Thai pilots to fly the T-33 jet Yokota Air Base Japan. Pilots who received training include Air Marshall Tawee Julasap, Air vice Marshall Boonchoo Jantarubeksa and Air vice Marshall Manop Suriya. Once the training was completed, all three pilots flew the T-33s back to Thailand. The T-33 was the first jet aircraft in Royal Thai Air Force, designated as “Trainer Type 11.”

49 LOCKHEED T-33A/T-BIRD

50 - 1956 The Royal Thai Air Force began to train qualified pilots to fly type 11 aircrafts before transition to the new jet fighter, F-84G Thunder jets, which became the air force’s first jet fighter aircraft.

51 The international political situation after WWII was divided into free world countries led by the United States on one side and the Communists regimes led the Soviet Union on the other. Korea’s independence was affected as both the United States and the Soviet Union took over Korea to disarmed Japanese troops. Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union could not allow the two sides of Korea to merge and this eventually led to the war in the Korean Peninsula from 1950 to 1953. Since then, the conflict between North and South Korea seems to have widen even further as each side of the power leaders continued to embed their own political ideology.

THE KOREAN WAR 52 After World War 2, the Korean peninsula was divided by the 38th parallel north, between the Soviet Union and the United States eventually led to the establishment of separate governments, each with its own ideology, leading to the division of Korea into two political entities. The United States establishment a government in South Korea under democracy, while the Soviet Union formed a Communist regime government in North Korea leading to political and military tension in Korean peninsula. On June 25, 1950, North Korea invade South Korea, sparking the “Korean War” and successfully seized Seoul, South Korea’s capital on June 28, 1950.

53 The UN Security opened an emergency session and condemned the North Korea invaded South Korea destructed peace and cease-fire immediately. The UN Security Council members voted North Korea troops withdrew back beyond the 38th parallel north and requested the United Nations member countries sent military to help South….Korea…..and…..maintained international peace and security, but both side continued to fight continuously until July 27, 1953, a ceasefire agreement acted on behalf of the United Nations Headquarters and the North Korean People’s Army (KPA). THE KOREAN WAR

THE ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE ROLES IN KOREAN WAR 54 Three task force contingents of the Royal Thai Air Force would serve South Korea Air Nursing Teams Liaison Officers Airlift Mission Teams attached to United Nations Command

55 Royal Thai Air Force Liaison Officers attached to United Nations Command Was responsible for coordination tasks involving the Royal Thai Air Force personnel under United Nation Command. Twenty-two RTAF Liaison Officers rotated to United Nations Command from October 1950 to August 1971. Air Nursing Teams The Royal Thai Air Force Air Nursing Teams consisted of a doctor and seven nurses to take care of sick and wounded Thai soldiers being aeromedical evacuation from South Korea and Japan to Thailand. Since the first of medical team dispatched to Japan on December 26, 1950, twenty-eight more rotated and the last Royal Thai Air Force Air Nursing team left Japan in 1974.

AIRLIFT MISSION TEAMS 56 The Royal Thai Air Force established Task Force Contingents to assist UN military operations and supplied three Douglas C-47 Sky train aircraft took part in Korean War. On June 18, 1951, the first Royal Thai Air Force dispatched the first airlift mission teams to support United Nations Command in Korean War. After that, twenty-four more airlift mission teams rotated to the operation air base in Japan with term of duty of 1 year and withdrew to Thailand in 1976. Royal Thai Air Force airlift mission teams tasked support UN operations include.