Ecuador says "Goodbye Gazelle"

On 20 January 2025, the Aviación del Ejército Ecuatoriana (AEE, Ecuadorian Army Aviation) withdrew the SA342 Gazelle from service.

The SA342 was operated since 1980. Over the years the helicopter saw some actual combat during the Cenepa conflict with Peru. It received upgrades modifications during its service live and the three variants used over the past decade were the SA342L(HOT), SA342L(LISO) and, the SA342L(MOSP).

The AEE used a pool of aircraft to stretch the service life that was originally intended to end in 2023. As far as we know, four remained serviceable, A.E.E.-349, 350, 366 and 373 with 15-BAE and GAE-43.

However, only A.E.E.-373 was still used operationally over the past years. Therefore, it was performing the last flight during the withdrawal ceremony at Portoviejo.

The type has been replaced by various models of the Ecureuil, AS350B2, AS350L1 and, AS550C3.

Credit photo: Ian French