Air Base. As the withdrawing Soviet Air Force did not leave any aircraft in Latvia, the first aircraft operated by the air force were four Polish PZL Mi-2U helicopters that were received from civilian aviation in 1992. These were supplemented with two Let L-410UVP utility planes donated by Germany in 1993, however, one was lost in a 1995 accident in Lielvārde. Six PZL-104 Wilga-35A trainer aircraft from ex-DOSAAF stocks were mostly used by the Aviation Component of the Latvian National Guard since 1993. Similarly, the component acquired around 20 LET L-13 Blaník, three SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard 3 and three LAK-12 gliders. In the beginning of the 21st century two new and heavier Mi-8MTV Hip helicopters were bought. Both helicopters are fitted with search and rescue equipment, but are also used for transportation of troops, evacuation and support of the Special Forces. In 2000, the Aviation Component of the National Guard was merged into the air force. In 2004 the Ministry of Defense bought two more Mi-8MTV's at the Russian Ulan Ude helicopter (rework) factory. These two might replace the first two, because of the limited flying time left on the first two examples. One Mi-8MTV is normally at SAR stand-by in Riga, which is closer to the sea than Lielvārde. In 2004, the air force has commenced the modernization of the surface air defense capabilities by signing a contract regarding procurement of RBS-70 missiles. In 2005, soldiers of the Air Force Air Defense Wing started the respective training course. One Air Defense Battery was to be supplied with the armament; and the personnel training of the Air Defense Wing was completed by the end of 2007. It was planned to accommodate all the air force units at the Lielvārde military base in the near future. AF Air Operations Center was opened in 2009. Renovation of the air base was finished by 2014. In July 2018, it was reported that the Ministry of Defence was planning to buy four helicopters to perform search and rescue, evacuation, and firefighting operations. On August 3, 2018, the US State Department issued a news release, which stated that it had approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Latvia. On September 11, 2018, an intergovernmental agreement with the United States for the acquisition of four UH-60M helicopters was concluded by the Cabinet of Ministers. The first deliveries would take place