Eduardo Iensen
General of the Air (R) Eduardo Iensen | |
|---|---|
| Commanders-in-chief of the Chilean Air Force | |
| In office 1961–1964 | |
| President | Jorge Alessandri |
| Preceded by | Diego Barros Ortiz |
| Succeeded by | Máximo Errázuriz Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 July 1911 Chillán, Chile |
| Died | Santiago, Chile |
| Education | Military School Captain Manuel Ávalos Prado Aviation School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Chile |
| Branch/service | Chilean Army Chilean Air Force |
| Rank | General of the Air |
| Commands | Chilean Air Force |
Eduardo Iensen Franke (26 July 1911 – 8 July 1985 or 1988) was a Chilean Air Force officer who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force (FACh) from 1961 to 1964.
During his military career, he participated in the development of commercial aviation in southern Chile and the First Chilean Antarctic Expedition. Following his retirement, he became involved in environmental conservation and archaeological research.[1]
Early life and education
Iensen was born in Chillán, Chile, on 26 July 1911, the son of Julio Jensen Hansen and Paulina Franke Fisher. He attended the German School and the Internado Nacional Barros Arana in Santiago before entering the Chilean Military School in 1928. He graduated as an Army artillery officer in 1930 and entered the Aviation School the following year, qualifying as a military pilot in 1932.[2]
In 1936, Iensen was sent to Germany for further aviation training. He studied gliding and instrument flying and participated in a commission responsible for evaluating aircraft purchases in Europe. During his stay, he also took part in the gliding demonstration associated with the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.[1][3]
Air Force career
In 1935, Iensen participated in the experimental air service connecting Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, established to develop commercial aviation routes to southern Chile. He was among the Air Force pilots assigned to the service, which operated Sikorsky S-38 and Sikorsky S-43 aircraft.[1]
In 1947, he participated in the First Chilean Antarctic Expedition aboard the transport ship Angamos. As an observer aboard a Vought OS2U Kingfisher aircraft, he took part in aerial reconnaissance operations around the Antarctic islands and the area surrounding the Chilean base Soberanía, later renamed Captain Arturo Prat Base.[4]
Iensen subsequently held several senior positions within the Air Force. He served as director of the Air Force Specialties School in 1951, air attaché at the Chilean embassy in Peru in 1953 and director of personnel. In 1956, he was appointed Undersecretary of Aviation and promoted to air brigadier general. He later served as director of civil aviation, commander of several Air Force formations and chief of the Air Force General Staff.[1][2]
Commander-in-Chief
In 1961, Iensen was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Air Force, succeeding General Diego Barros Ortiz. During his administration, the institution revised its training programmes and acquired additional Grumman SA-16 amphibious aircraft for maritime and joint operations.[5]
His command also oversaw the first Antarctic flights conducted with Grumman amphibious aircraft, the acquisition of light transport and liaison aircraft, and the development of the Air Search and Rescue Service (SAR) and the Photogrammetric Air Service. He promoted glider training among Air Force officers and established the institution's first training course for journalists.[5]
In 1963, the Academia Politécnica Aeronáutica was established to provide specialised technical education for Air Force officers. The Air Force Historical Gallery was also created during his administration. That same year, Iensen was recognised as an illustrious citizen of Chillán.[1]
He retired from active military service in March 1964 and was succeeded by General Máximo Errázuriz Ward.[2]
Later life
Following his retirement, Iensen devoted himself to environmental conservation and archaeological exploration. In 1974, he co-founded the Chilean Institute of Ecology with engineer Raúl Guillet and physician Juan Grau, serving as its president. The organisation participated in initiatives to protect native forests, wildlife and natural areas, including efforts associated with the conservation of the alerce tree and the establishment of protected areas.[1]
Iensen also developed an interest in aerial archaeology. Working with researchers from the University of Chile and the University of California, Davis, he participated in reconnaissance flights over archaeological sites in northern Chile. In 1967, he accompanied archaeologists Lautaro Núñez and Delbert True on an aerial survey of the Pampa del Tamarugal, during which they identified the anthropomorphic geoglyph subsequently known as the Atacama Giant.[6]
He later participated in archaeological exploration of the Licancabur volcano and collaborated with Jesuit archaeologist Gustavo Le Paige. He also founded the Corporation for the Development of Sciences and contributed to initiatives associated with the establishment of the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.[1][6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Witker, Alejandro (2002). La silla del sol: Crónicas ilustradas de Ñuble (in Spanish). Universidad del Bío-Bío. pp. 219–255. ISBN 956-7813-18-3.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link) Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Tomo III. Hacia la Era del Jet (1943–1970)" (PDF). Fuerza Aérea de Chile (in Spanish). Chilean Air Force. Retrieved 28 September 2026.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ "Historia del vuelo sin motor en Chile". Club de Planeadores de Vitacura (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 September 2026.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ "Primer vuelo en Territorio Chileno Antártico 1947" (in Spanish). Instituto de Investigaciones Histórico Aeronáuticas de Chile. Retrieved 28 September 2026.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Eduardo Iensen Franke". Fuerza Aérea de Chile (in Spanish). Chilean Air Force. Retrieved 28 September 2026.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Iensen Franke, Eduardo (1971). "Exploración y reconocimientos aéreos para la arqueología en la zona norte de Chile". Revista Geográfica de Chile (in Spanish) (21).CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
This article "Eduardo Iensen" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Eduardo Iensen. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- 1911 births
- 1980s deaths
- Chilean Air Force generals
- Chilean Army officers
- People from Chillán
- Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy alumni
- Captain Manuel Ávalos Prado Aviation School alumni
- Chilean environmentalists
- Chilean archaeologists
- 20th-century Chilean military personnel
- Commanders-in-chief of the Chilean Air Force
