The Argentine air force fought bravely but suffered heavily in the Falklands war of 1982 and is only now reaching recovery as that war's losses are replaced. Current strength is 17,000 men and 180 combat aircraft. Air-defense command is comprised by 4 squadrons of Mirage III/V fighters, and air operations command has three attack squadrons of A-4Q Skyhawks plus numerous counterinsurgency and transport aircraft. The naval air arm operates both the Skyhawk and Super Etendard as attack aircraft.
