Costa Rican Air Vigilance Service History

Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the region and formally abolished its army on December 1, 1949, just after the end of a revolution that reformed the country's political structures. The internal security of the country was administered by the Civil Guard that, over the years, has transformed into what it is now, the Public Forces of Costa Rica, under the command of the Ministry of Public Security. It is composed of several departments: Public Force, Anti-Drug Police, National Coast Guard Service, National Police School, Reserve of the Public Force and the Air Surveillance Service, itself a successor of the Costa Rican Air Force. In 1958, the air wing was created with a Cessna 180 for the transportation of government officials and in 1962 it acquired three Cessna 185s. Later in 1970, it acquired a helicopter for use by the President. In 1994, it was renamed the Air Vigilance Service (Spanish: Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea, SVA), with 15 aircraft.

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