North American T-2 Buckeye - Foreign Operators

Venezuela

Only two foreign air forces have operated the North American T-2 Buckeye. The first of these was the Venezuelan Air Force (FAV) who eventually took delivery of 24 T-2Ds (T-2D is the designation allocated to the Venezuelan supplied T-2s).

Delivered in two batches, the first batch delivered in 1973 consisted of aircraft which were very similar to the T-2C but with some different electronic systems and without the carrier landing gear. The second batch were equipped with six underwing hard points capable of carrying up to 1588kg (3,500lb) for rockets and bombs. Two squadrons, Escuadrón Escuela de Entrenamiento 131 & 132 of Grupo Aéreo de Caza 13, operated The T-2 from their base at Luis del Valle Garcia AB, Barcelona. Venezuela withdrew their Buckeyes from service in 1999, and started using the Embraer EMB.312 T-27 Tucano as a 'stop gap' basic trainer until a proper replacement was procurred.

An order for 12 Aermacchi MB.339FDs, the then selected T-2D replacement, was cancelled and in 2001 it was reported that an order had been place for 24 Embraer AMX-ATA from Brazil. The current situation is unclear as there have been reports that two T-2Ds are still in service with the FAV. If anyone has anymore details we would like to hear from you.

Greece

The T-2E Buckeye (T-2E is the designation allocated to the Greek supplied T-2s) has been in service with the Hellenic Air Force for more than 2 decades, flown by two squadrons, the 362 Advanced Training and 363 Operational Training Squadrons based at Kalamata Air Base.

During 1998 an Excess Defense Article (EDA) was approved which called for the free transfer of ten T-2C Buckeyes and four spare J-85 engines to Greece. During May 2000 five T-2C aircraft, which had been stored at AMARC, were refurbished and supplied to Greece to augment their remaining T-2Es. A table detailing the five AMARC aircraft can be seen below.

There are currently around 35 T-2Es and the 5 T-2Cs still in service with the Hellenic Air Force although investigations to find a replacement Advanced Jet Trainer have started. A short list of four aircraft types has been drawn up which includes the BAE Systems Hawk 128, Italian Aermacchi M.346, Lockheed Martin T-50 Golden Eagle and Czech Aero Vodochody L-159. The HAF are looking to purchase a total of 45 aircraft and are looking to start it's introduction as soon as possible.

UPDATE

On October 21, 2008 EDA approval was granted for the supply of five additional T-2C to Greece, this was followed by a further EDA approval March 19, 2009 for a further two. It is assumed that these T-2C are to be used for spares.

The following T-2C, the last to be retired to AMARC, are believed to have departed AMARG as a result of these sales. Some of the aircraft have been confirmed as arriving in Greece and are marked as such, the others require confirmation;