Air Force Day in Nicaragua Date in the current year: July 31, 2024

The history of the modern Nicaraguan Air Force began in 1938, when an air force was formed within the Nicaraguan National Guard. It was called Fuerza Aérea de la Guardia Nacional (Air Force of the National Guard). It acquired a number of aircraft from the United States. For some years it was the strongest air force in Central America despite its relatively small size.

In the 1960s, the Nicaraguan Revolution began, and a lot of pilots defected to support the revolutionaries. In 1979, the full control of the government was given to the revolutionary movements, and the Sardinista regime was established.

The remnants of the National Guard's Air Force were inherited by the Sardinista Air Force/Air Defense Force (Fuerza Aérea Sandinista/Defensa Anti-Aérea—FAS/DAA). It was formally established on July 31, 1979, and the anniversary of its establishment is now celebrated as Nicaraguan Air Force Day. The Sardinistas began training new pilots, constructing new airfields, and acquiring new trainers and transports.

In the 1990s, a military reform took place. In 1996, the Sardinista Air Force was renamed the Nicaraguan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua). It has a small fleet of transport, helicopters, and training/utility aircraft, as well as five operational airbases in Managua, Puerto Sandino, Puerto Cabezas, Montelimar, and Bluefields.