Carlos Guerraty
Carlos Guerraty Villalobos (10 March 1915 – 21 May 2014) was a Chilean Air Force officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force (FACh) from 1969 to 1970. He had previously served in the Chilean Army before transferring to the Air Force in 1938 after qualifying as a military pilot.
Early life and education
Guerraty was born in Traiguén, Chile, on 10 March 1915. He entered the Chilean Military School in March 1935 and subsequently became an Army artillery officer. In 1936, while serving as an ensign at the Artillery School, he was sent to the Aviation School to undertake flight training.
On 28 December 1937, Guerraty qualified as a military pilot. On 6 January 1938, he transferred from the Army to the Chilean Air Force with the rank of aviation second lieutenant.
Air Force career
As a junior officer, Guerraty served with Aviation Groups Nos. 1, 2 and 4, as well as the Guard Company and the Aviation School. In 1942, he served as an instructor for the first course of cadets at the Aviation School.
He later commanded Aviation Group No. 8. During his command, the unit was transferred from Quintero to the newly established Cerro Moreno Air Base near Antofagasta. The group subsequently operated the Douglas B-26 Invader, which became one of the principal combat aircraft of the Chilean Air Force during this period.
During his subsequent career, Guerraty served as air attaché at the Chilean embassy in Argentina, director of the Air War Academy, Secretary-General of the Air Force, director of personnel and Commander-in-Chief of the II Air Brigade. He also served as an aviation judge and headed the Air Search and Rescue Service (SAR).
Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force
In 1969, Guerraty was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force by President Eduardo Frei Montalva, succeeding General Máximo Errázuriz Ward.
During his command, Guerraty continued institutional development programmes prepared by the Air Force General Staff. He promoted the activities of the Search and Rescue Service and the Photogrammetric Air Service, as well as improvements to personnel welfare services.
His administration also implemented modernisation measures in the Air Force's logistics and maintenance services. Professional specialisation courses for officers and other personnel continued to be conducted at United States Air Force schools and institutions. Guerraty additionally promoted improvements to the facilities of the Air War Academy, Aviation Group No. 11 and other Air Force bases and installations.
Guerraty left command in 1970 and was succeeded by General César Ruiz Danyau.
Later career
After retiring from active military service, Guerraty held several public and diplomatic positions. He served as mayor of Las Condes and as Chilean ambassador to Denmark.
He was also appointed to the Council of State. His membership was renewed in 1988 in his capacity as a former Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force.
Guerraty died in Santiago, Chile, on 21 May 2014, aged 99.