Lebanese Air Force
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The Lebanese Air Force is the air force branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
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[edit] History
The Lebanese Air Force was established in 1949 and soon afterwards, a number of planes were donated by the British, French and the Italian governments. It was only a few years later in 1953 that jet fighter were introduced when a number of de Havilland Vampire jets were received. The first Hawker Hunters arrived in 1959 which were followed by additional numbers of the type through the years with the last being delivered in 1977. In 1968, 12 Mirage IIIELs were delivered from France but were grounded in the late 1970s due to lack of funds. In 2000, the grounded Mirages were sold to Pakistan.[1]
The air force currently relies on a helicopter force in the absence of operational fixed wing aircraft and is currently in the process of re-introduction of a small number of jets to enhance its capabilities. Thus the Lebanese Air Force consists of six squadrons, being the 2nd at Rayak AFB operating the Hawker Hunters, the 8th operating the Gazelles, the 10th and the 11th at Beirut AFB operating the UH-1H, the 12th at Rayak AFB, operating some UH-1Hs on loan from Beirut AB, the 14th at Kleyate AFB, also operating the UH-1H on loan from Beirut AFB, and the 15th at Rayak AFB, operating the R44 Raven.
[edit] Combat history
The Hawker Hunters has not flown any combat sorties since September 17, 1983. This was during the period where the French and Americans were rebuilding the Lebanese army, and three F.Mk.70s were made airworthy, and started combat operations on September 15. Because the main airfield, Rayak Air Base had been shelled by Syrian forces, the Hunters had to operate from an airfield in Byblos. The last sortie was an joint attempt with French Super Etendards from the Clemenceau to attack Druze positions. One Hunter was shot down and the pilot barely managed to eject himself into the sea. The second Hunter was heavily damaged and made a forced landing at Byblos. The third did not return to the base but flew straight to Akrotiri, Cyprus, with the pilot eventually requesting political asylum.[2]
During the battle of Nahr el-Bared camp in North Lebanon, the Lebanese army, lacking fixed-wing aircraft, modified the UH-1H allowing it to carry 400lb. (250Kg) Mk.82 dumb bombs to strike the militant positions. Each Huey was equipped on each side with a special pads engineered by the Lebanese army, and attached to each was a dumb bomb. It is one of the very rare if not the only time where a helicopter is used to bomb in this fashion. The Lebanese army also made use of Gazelle helicopters equipped with Euromissile HOT missiles and machine guns pods.
[edit] Future
The air force is currently making efforts to enhance its capabilities after over a decade of negligence, which has affected all branches of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Reported interests include additional number of attack and utility helicopters and a small number of (3 to 6) jet fighters or trainers. Many types have been rumored but still no official statement has been made by the army or the air force. Due to lack of funds, donations from friendly nations are believed to be a strong possibility.
[edit] Aircraft inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Total | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Bell AB 212 |  Italy |
Utility Helicopter | 5 | Stored | To be made operational |
| Aérospatiale SA-319 Alouette III |  France |
Utility Helicopter | 3 | Retired in
military roles, used for crop spraying |
|
| Aérospatiale SA-342 Gazelle | France |
Naval Patrol Battlefield Scout Anti-tank |
12 | Active | All were made operational. |
| Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma | France |
Utility and Transport Helicopter | 7 | Stored | To be made operational. |
| AB-205/UH-1H |  United States |
Utility helicopter | 23 | Active | Some with local modifications to carry 250 kg and 400 kg bombs |
| Fouga Magister CM-170 | France |
Advanced Trainer | 4 | Stored | |
| Hawker Hunter |  United Kingdom |
Fighter Ground Attack |
8-12 | Stored | 5 in good condition and could be brought back to service |
| Robinson R44 | United States |
Utility Helicopter Trainer |
4 | Active | |
| Scottish Aviation Bulldog | United Kingdom |
Basic Trainer | 4 | Stored | |
[edit] References
- ^ [1], Lebanese Army (official website)
- ^ Disaster in Lebanon: US and French Operations in 1983
[edit] External links
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