Combat capability is modest and restricted to a few armed trainers that can be used for ground attack, COIN and close air support roles.

Six Atlas Impala jet trainers purchased from South Africa in 1997 had a lengthy gestation period before becoming operational and did not enter service until late 1998.

As with other regional air forces, few aircraft have been procured since the end of the oil boom in the early 1980s and the burden is beginning to show on equipment that is now at least two decades old.

[citation needed] The Cameroon Air Force was established on 1 January 1961 as National Squadron (Escadrille Nationale), one year after gaining independence.

The Garoua base is the more modern and the best equipped and "conforms" to NATO standards having been built by the Germans, following an invitation to tender.

The PANVR[2] (Pole Aeronautique National a Vocation Regionale) is located on this base.

Finally, the Bamenda aerodrome could become a fourth aerial base, with the stationing of the airborne rifle commandos (fusiliers commando de l’air – BAFUSCO AIR): currently 60 people under the command of a lieutenant colonel assisted by eight officers work at the site.

The Cameroon Air Force has the following rank structure:[3] Previous aircraft flown included the CM.170 Magister, Dornier Do 28/128 DHC Caribou, Douglas C-47, Hawker Siddeley HS 748, Max Holste Broussard, Piper PA-23, SA 315B Lama and the Alouette III helicopter.