“I want to inform the country that, after fulfilling a commitment in Sardinata, in the Colombian Catatumbo, and approaching to land in the city of Cúcuta, the presidential helicopter was the victim of an attack,” said President Duque, after landing.

“The Minister of Defense, the Minister of the Interior, the Governor of Norte de Santander and myself were in the helicopter. Both the aerial device and the aircraft’s capabilities prevented something lethal from happening. The truth is that it is a cowardly attack, where bullet holes are seen in the presidential aircraft, he added.”

Catatumbo is a region in the Norte de Santander department bordering Venezuela and has long been a center of operations for both leftist guerillas like the ELN nd EPL as well as narcotics mafias. In recent years the government has been ineffective at providing a civil security and law enforcement presence in the region.

According to the government, the helicopter received 6 bullet impacts but was able to fly to safety. The Black Hawk is a military helicopter designed to function in combat situations, first used by the US Military.

“We will continue working every day and demonstrating that the State is present anywhere in the territory. I have also given very clear instructions to the entire security team to go after those who shot at the aircraft and also put other people’s lives at risk,” said Duque.

Minister of Defense Diego Molano has announced a reward of up to 3 billion pesos ($796,000 USD) for information leading to the capture of the shooters. Security forces are already searching the Cúcuta neighborhoods near Cúcuta’s Camilo Daza international airport.

Photos taken from government video

During F-AIR Colombia 2019, The United States will present its air show of the Thunderbirds, known as the aerial demonstration squadron of the US Air Force, made up of eight pilots aboard Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The US participation highlights the close ties and collaboration between the Colombian and US militaries.

Over the four days of F-AIR, attendees can enjoy static displays of American aircraft, with the arrival of four F-16 from the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG). In addition, just as at the last F-AIR in 2017, there will be a fly-by of a Boeing B-52 strategic bomber (picture below from the 2017 F-AIR). The B-52 is the US Air Force’s heavy bomber created in 1960 and still in active deployment, an enduring emblem of US military air power.

Additionally, the air show will have eight commercial exhibitors from the USA as well as representatives of companies from other countries, for example: Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of combat aircraft and commercial aircraft; Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation, the major supplier of avionics and aviation services; and Milex Inc, a company that has been offering innovative products for the personal protection for the world’s defense forces for 125 years.

Colombia has become a nation with strong potential in the aviation industry, has a qualified workforce and proven knowledge in engineering. For example, during the last several years, the CIAC (Corporation of the Colombian Aviation Industry) has excelled in the manufacture of spare parts for aircraft and recently has demonstrated advances in maintenance of US manufactured Sikorsky Black Hawk multi-role military helicopters.

The 11^th F-AIR Colombia Air Show takes place at the José Maria Córdova International Airport just outside Medellín, Colombia from July 11^th to the 14^th, 2019. The 11^th and 12^th are industry-only days and closed to the public. The weekend days off the 13^th and 14^th are open to the public and when most of the exciting aerial displays and demonstrations. Tickets are available for purchase via Tuboleta.

Thunderbirds photo credit: USAF Staff Sargeant Ned T. Johnston. 

US Air Force B-52 photo credit: Loren Moss, Finance Colombia