The Chengdu Military Region Air Force (MRAF), headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is one of the seven MRAFs under of the PLA Air Force. It is the air component of the Chengdu Military Region (MR), responsible for the air defence of China’s southwest region. The Chengdu MRAF is under the dual leadership of the Headquarters Air Force (HqAF) and the Chengdu MR. The commander of the Chengdu MRAF is concurrently a deputy commander of the Chengdu MR.
The Chengdu MRAF is the smallest in term of aircraft number and strength. Its aviation element consists of only two fighter divisions (33rd and 44th) and an airlift division (4th). The 4th Airlift Division was formed in 2005, but the delivery of additional IL-76MD jet transports and IL-78 aerial tankers from Russia is seriously delayed.
Aircraft deployed by the Chengdu MRAF includes J-10 (one regiment), Su-27UBK (one regiment), and J-7B (two regiments). The 4th Air Division is only equipped with few Mi-17V7 helicopters for search & rescue mission.
Major airbases include Baishiyi (Chongqing), Mengzi (Yunnan), and Kunming (Yunnan).
There is no air defence element in the Chengdu MRAF.
Command and control elements of the Chengdu MRAF include the Kunming Command Post and a radar brigade.
