[2] The FAPA/DAA fought several battles with South African Air Force aircraft in November 1981, October 1982, and twice in September 1987.

The FANA has bases at Luanda, Catumbela, Belas, Luena, Kuito, Lubango and Moçâmedes.

The main body of the active air force is made of transport/cargo planes, used for moving supplies, equipment and personnel between parts of the country.

FANA follows a Russian/ex-Soviet organizational model, with its air units being aviation regiments (regimentos de aviação), each one including several squadrons (esquadrões).

Its order of battle is:[citation needed] On 14 September 2011, an Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, operated by the Air Force, crashed just after takeoff from Nova Lisboa Airport,[14] killing 11 army officers (including three generals, among them Kalias Pedro) and six civilians.