The history of the Naval Aviation can be traced back to 14th August 1935, when its foundation was ordered by decree. Initially the navy operated limited numbers of light aircraft and amphibians with the ala fija (fixed wing squadron). Helicopters were introduced in the early 1980's with the Ala Rotatoria. With all aircraft concentrated on the Atlantic coast, the current Grupo Aéronaval del Atlántico was formed in 1987 at Cartagena's Rafael Nuñoz airport.