How a 1922 flight demonstration sparked a nation's air power

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1922, Emperor Haile Selassie witnessed a British Royal Air Force display in Aden. Captivated by the power of flight, he spontaneously demanded to fly. This single moment of curiosity transformed Ethiopia's military, leading to the birth of an air force that would eventually face off against Soviet-backed neighbors.

The Ethiopian Air Force (ETAF) traces its origins to Emperor Haile Selassie's fascination with aviation. After seeing a British Royal Air Force show in November 1922, he advocated for an imperial air arm. The first aircraft, a Potez 25-A2, arrived in Addis Ababa on August 18, 1929, followed by a Junkers W 33c on September 5, 1929. Mishka Babitchef, a Russian-born individual, established the unit and became the nation's initial aviator.

The air arm quickly proved its utility. By March 31, 1930, three biplanes were used to give Selassie's forces the upper hand during the Battle of Anchem against conservative rivals. Throughout the 1930s, the force expanded to include ambulance work and personal transport for the Emperor. Notably, African-American Colonel John Robinson took command in May 1935, remaining until the Italian occupation.

Following the liberation of Ethiopia, the air force was rebuilt with significant international aid. In 1944, African-American WWII veterans established a flying school in Addis Ababa, which grew to 75 students by 1946. Sweden provided a critical foundation by sending Safir trainers and B-17A light bombers, while the United States supplied C-47 Skytrains. By 1951, the force acquired Fairey Firefly fighters from the United Kingdom.

The 1950s and 60s saw a shift toward US-style operating procedures and jet technology. The US supplied Lockheed T-33 trainers in 1957 and North American F-86 Sabres in 1960. To counter Soviet-supplied MiG-17s from Somalia, the US delivered F-5A jets in 1965. However, the relationship became complex; after the 1974 coup, US President Jimmy Carter cut off aid due to human rights violations, forcing the Derg regime to turn to the Soviet Union for aircraft and 17,000 Cuban troops.

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