L. Mosby

TO THE SWISS, perhaps more than any other nation, war is abhorrent and a phenomenon peculiar to others. Despite their aversion to violence, the Swiss will readily fight to maintain their now traditional neutrality. The Swiss Air Force is unique in that its personnel are militia-civilians for more than 10 months of each year! The terms of the Swiss Confederation expressly forbid the maintenance of regular forces. The Flugwaffe, as the Swiss Air arm is generally known, is a true component of the militia. The tasks of the Flugwaffe have remained virtually unchanged throughout the history of Swiss military aviation, namely, to ensure the integrity of Swiss air space by challenging and, if necessary, destroying any intruder; defending Switzerland from aerial attack, and providing strike and reconnaissance support for Swiss ground forces.