Libyan Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedi

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On 23 February 2011, pilot Abdessalam Attiyah al-Abdali and co-pilot Ali Omar al-Kadhafi, crew of a Sukhoi-22, ejected with parachutes near Ajdabiya, 100 miles (160 km) west of Benghazi, after refusing orders to bomb the city of Benghazi.[11] Anti-Gaddafi forces and Syrian opposition groups claim that Syrian pilots were flying attacks for the Libyan government.[12] Rebels claim they have shot down Air Force jets over Brega and Ras Lanuf.[13][14]
Mitiga, (near Tripoli): formerly USAF Wheelus Air Base, later Okba Ben Nafi when used by Soviet Union forces. Damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on March 20 and 21
Maaten al-Sarra Air Base south of Libya
Benina (near Benghazi) under anti-Ghadafi forces control
Misrata Airport, damaged by coalition air strikes on March 25 and 26 and under anti-Ghadafi forces control
Ghardabiya Air Base Map near Sirt, damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on March 20 and 21
Ghadames
Sabha Air Base, damaged by coalition air strikes on March 21
Al Bayda, under anti-Ghadafi forces control
Tobruk, under anti-Ghadafi forces control
El Ademe, under anti-Ghadafi forces control
Ghat
Okba Ibn Nafa Air Base in western Libya
Juffra / Al Jufra Air Base attacked by French Air Force on March 24 Current air force equipment Aircraft
Origin
Type
Versions
In service
Notes Dassault Mirage F1
 France
Multi role fighter
Mirage F1BD/ED
1 (2 in Malta)
32 delivered in the seventies, most of them have disappeared. Some are based at Gamal Abdul El Nasser Air Base, south of Tobruk. In 2007, Dassault Aviation was awarded a contract to put 12 remaining airframes back into flying condition. Only four have been refitted.[35]
On 7 May 2011, after weeks of complete inactivity, Lybian Air Force conducted a successful air raid over the rebel held fuel depots at Misurata setting them on fire. The rebels reported that the raid was conducted with crop dusting aircraft, but probably SF.260 light attack aircraft were used taking off from Misurata airport. NATO failed to intercept the bombing mission.[33]
One shot down over Benghazi on March 17[48]
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the elimination of military aid by the new Russian Federation, Soviet/Russian support was drastically curtailed. The last major delivery of Soviet aircraft was 15 Su-24 Fencers in March/April 1989.
The Libyan Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية الليبية‎) is the branch of the Libyan Armed Forces responsible for aerial warfare. The Libyan Air Force personnel strength is estimated at 18,000–22, with and an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft.[2] There are 13 military airbases in Libya.[3]
1 History 1.1 Cold War
1.2 Post–Cold War
1.3 2011 Libyan Civil War / NATO intervention 2 Military airports / Civil War
3 Current air force equipment 3.1 Retired Aircraft 4 References
5 Further reading
6 External links History This section includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (March 2011) Cold War
Post–Cold War

In the 1970s and 80s Libyan Migs and Tupolevs were common visitors to the international airspace, close to Italy and NATO bases. On July 19, 1980, a Libyan MiG-23 crashed on the Sila Mountains in Castelsilano, Calabria, southern Italy.[6] On 27 June 1980 an Italian plane exploded while on route from Bologna to Palermo, off the island of Ustica. The most accepted theory is that the aircraft was shot down during a dogfight involving Libyan and NATO fighters in an attempted assassination of an important Libyan politician, who was flying in the same airspace that evening.[citation needed]
Mil Mi-14
 Russia
Medium utility helicopter 12
2011 civil war in February and March: One captured by rebels at Benghazi[57] Bell 206 JetRanger
 USA
Training helicopter 4 Bell 212 Twin Huey
 USA
Light transport helicopter 2
Delivered from Italy Boeing CH-47 Chinook
 USA
Heavy transport helicopter
CH-47C
8
Delivered from Italy. According to pro-Gaddafi forces, they shot down two in Ajdabiya, 10 April 2011 [58] Mil Mi-8 Hip
 Russia
Medium transport helicopter 25 Mil Mi-17
 Russia
Medium transport helicopter  ?
Status up in balance after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces ban on arms sales to Libya.[54] Lavochkin SA-2
 Soviet Union
Air defence SAM 88
At least 2 have been reported captured by anti-government protesters and defected military units in Tobruk.[citation needed] Isayev SA-3
 Soviet Union
Air defence SAM 10 SA-5
 Soviet Union
Air defence SAM  ? SA-6
 Soviet Union
Air defence SAM 43 Retired Aircraft Dassault Mirage V[59]
MiG-25 [60]
Boeing 707
Tupolev Tu-22 - Grounded due to lack of spare parts.
Aeritalia G222
Aerospatiale Super Frelon
Mil Mi-2
F-5 Tiger References
During May 1967 the Kingdom of Libya reached an agreement with the USA to supply 10 Northrop F-5s to the Royal Libyan Air Force.[4] These were the first fighters for the young Air Force which only operated at the time six Douglas C-47 transports and three Lockheed T-33A trainers. Fifty-six personnel underwent training at basis in USA, pilots at Williams Air Force Base; an US Survey Team on Expansion came to Libya in August 1968 to supervise the introduction of the fighters. Serviciability of the F-5s declined after the 1969 coup and it appears that most may have eventually been sold to Turkey.
On 15 March 2011, a rebel website reported that opposition forces started using a captured MiG-23 and a helicopter to sink 2 loyalist ships and bombing some tank positions.[42][43] On 19 March 2011, a rebel Free Libyan Air Force MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi.[20][44] On 26 March 2011, five MiG-23s together with 2 Mi-35 helicopters were destoyed by the French Air Force while parked at Misurata airport, early reports misidentified the five fixed wing aircraft as G-2 Galebs.[45][46]
One shot down by anti-Gadaffi forces on 3 March 2011.[37]
The LARAF MiG-21s do not fly at all due to reported serviceability issues and of 170 MiG-23s delivered, only 30-50 are believed to be flyable aircraft. Those ratios may be similar for several other platforms.
The Chadians seized Ouadi Doum base in 1987 and destroyed or captured two SF.260s, three Mi-25s, two Tu-22B bombers, eleven L-39 jets, two complete SA-8 SAM-batteries and a plethora of additional equipment, weapons, supplies and ammunition, a good deal of which was flown out to France and the USA within the next five days. Four USAF C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft were sent to N'Djamena to collect the captured Libyan equipment. On 5 September 1987 Chadian technicals crossed into Libya and attacked the Maaten al-Sarra Air Base which is 60 miles (97 km) in Libyan territory. The battle of Maaten al-Sarra was a major victory for Chad and several Libyan aircraft were destroyed on the ground with only minor Chadian casualties.[7]
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
 Soviet Union
Trainer/interceptor
MiG-21UM/bis/MF
23
Most are grounded. On 15 March 2011, one MiG-21bis and one MiG-21UM landed at Benina airport flown by defector Libyan air force pilot who joined the rebellion.[38] On 17 March 2011, a "Free Libyan Air Force" MiG-21UM crashed after take off from Benina airport due to technical problems. It was flown from Ghardabiya AB (near Sirte) to Benina by a defecting pilot, the previous day.[19] Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
 Soviet Union
Ground attack/interceptor/trainer
MiG-23BN/MS/ML/UB
109
Most are grounded. 2011 civil war in February and March: at least 4 captured by rebels in air base in Benghazi February and March 2011.[citation needed] Four captured by rebels at Tobruk air base.[39] Four captured by rebels in hangar at Misrata.[40] One captured by rebels at Al-Abrak.[41]
Later the same day the no-fly zone began to be enforced by a multi-national military coalition. It was part of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 which was adopted two days earlier. US and British warships launched more than 120 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Libyan air defences and four US B-2 stealth bombers attacked several airfields. A British Trafalgar Class Submarine [26] also fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libyan air defences.[27]
F-16 Belgian Air Force hit a Libyan Su-22M-3K plane during operation on 27 March.[32]
Active
1970 -present Country
 Libya Size
18,000–22,000 personnel
374 aircraft HQ
Okba Ben Nafi, Tripoli Engagements
Six-Day War 1967
On 19 March 2011, a rebel Free Libyan Air Force MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi by rebel air defence forces in a case of mistaken identity.[20] The pilot ejected, but at a very low altitude, and was reported to have been killed as a result.[21][22][23][24] BBC News reported on 20 March that the rebel aircraft was shot down by its own air defenses[25]

The Libyan Air Force operated a number of MiG-25, possibly more than 60 were delivered, consisting of MiG-25PD, MiG-25RBK, MiG-25PU and MiG-25RU variants.
2011 Libyan Civil War / NATO intervention
Yom Kippur War 1973
Libyan–Egyptian War 1977
Chadian–Libyan conflict 1978-1987
Gulf of Sidra incidents 1981, 1989
Libyan Civil War 2011
Commanders Current
commander
General Ali Sharif al-Rifi[1] Insignia Roundel Aircraft flown Attack
Su-22, J-21, Mi-14, Mi-24, Bell 206, Bomber
Su-24 Fighter
MiG-21, MiG-23, Mirage F1 Trainer
SF-260, L-39, G-2, Yak-130 Transport
An-26, Falcon 20, Falcon 50, Gulfstream II, Il-76, L-410, C-130, Il-78 Midas, Bell 212, CH-47, Mi-8
In January 2008 Libya bought 4 ATR-42MP maritime patrol aircraft from Italy’s Alenia.
Four captured by rebels in hangar at Misrata airport.[40]
On 26 March 2011, five Galebs together with 2 Mi-35 helicopters were reported destoyed by the French Air Force in the same area, but satellite images showed that the five fixed wing aircraft were MiG-23s.[52][53]
Libyan Air Force
World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 03
LPAF Soviet-made MiG-17/19/25 fighters and Tu-22 bombers were based at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. Of the combat aircraft, the United States Department of State estimated in 1983 that 50 percent remained in storage, including most of the MiG fighters and Tu-22 bombers.
On 26 March 2011, French Air Force reported that 2 Mi-35 helicopters were destroyed on the ground at Misrata airport together with 5 MiG-23s, originally misidentified as Galebs.[56]

Aero L-39 Albatros of the Libyan Air Force
On 8 October 1987, an Su-22M-22K was shot down by a FIM-92A Stinger missile in northern Chad. The pilot, Capt. Diya al-Din, ejected and was captured. The LARAF immediately organized a recovery operation, and a Mig-23 Flogger was also shot down by another Stinger. In December 1988 a Libyan SF.260 was shot down over northern Chad by Chadian troops.

Aermacchi SF.260 training and light attack aircraft of the Libyan Air Force
On the other side, the considerable Libyan cargo plane fleet, was apparently employed capably in Chad and elsewhere.
Mil Mi-24 of the Libyan Air Force
The Libyan Arab Republic Air Force (LARAF) was also involved in combat against Tanzania during 1979 as part of the Uganda–Tanzania War to help its Ugandan allies, with a single Tu-22 flying an unsuccessful bombing mission against the town of Mwanza.[citation needed]
Mig-25 of the Libyan Air Force
At Brega a Mirage F-1 was shot down and at Ra's Lanuf a Sukhoi Su-24 bomber and a helicopter (probably a Mi-24).[citation needed] Exactly how many and what types of aircraft have been shot down have yet to be confirmed by government or independent sources. Using air power, the Libyan army checked the opposition advance westwards, towards Bin Jawad in early March.[15] On March 13, 2011, Ali Atiyya, a colonel of the Libyan Air Force at the Mitiga military airport, near Tripoli, announced that he had defected and joined the revolution.[16] Rebels claim to have shot down what appears to be a MiG-21 outside of Bohadi [17] On 17 March, Su-22M-3K, shot down over Benina AB, pilot ejected safely and captured.[18] On 17 March, a "Free Libya Air Force" MiG-21UM crashed after take off from Benina airport due to technical problems. It was flown from Ghardabiya AB (near Syrte) to Benina by a defecting pilot, on previous day.[19]
Mil Mi-14 of the Libyan Air Force with anti-submarine capabilities
Ilyushin Il-76 of the Libyan Air Force
During the Libyan-Egyptian War in 1977 there were some skirmishes between Libyan and Egyptian fighters. Two LARAF MiG-23MS engaged two upgraded EAF MiG-21MF and one MiG-23MS was shot down by EAF Maj. Sal Mohammad.[citation needed]
The air force was extensively used in the fighting in Chad in the 1980s, in support of Libyan ground units. It was reported that many Libyan bombing raids were carried out at excessively high altitudes when met with anti-aircraft fire so the attacks did not play a decisive role. On 17 February 1986, in retaliation for the French Operation Epervier, a single LARAF Tu-22B attacked the airport at N'Djamena. The French air force bombed the Libyan air base at Ouadi Doum as retaliation. One Tu-22 bomber was shot down by captured SA-6 missile during an attack on an abandoned Libyan base on 8 August 1987. Another Tu-22 was lost on 7 September 1987, when a battery of French MIM-23 Hawk SAMs shot down one of the two LARAF bombers that were attacking N'Djamena.
The Libyan Arab Republic Air Force (LARAF) lost a total of four aircraft to United States Navy F-14 Tomcats in two incidents over the Gulf of Sidra, in 1981 and 1989. In addition, many planes were destroyed or damaged on the ground in 1986 when American planes attacked targets at Benghazi and Tripoli airports.
Yakovlev Yak-130
 Russia
Jet trainer 6
On order (2010); Status up in balance after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces ban on arms sales to Libya.[54] Dassault Falcon 20
 France
Light transport 3 Antonov An-26
 Soviet Union
Medium transport 10
17 February 2011. One An-26 captured by protesters in Kufra[38] Antonov An-72
 Soviet Union
Medium transport 5
Google imagery (2011) shows two aircraft parked at Mitiga airport. Gulfstream II
 USA
Light transport 1 Dassault Falcon 50
 France
Light transport 1 Ilyushin Il-76
 Soviet Union
Heavy transport 17 Let L-410T Turbolet
 Czechoslovakia
Light utility transport 15 Lockheed C-130H Hercules
 USA
Heavy transport 10 Antonov An-124
 Soviet Union
Heavy transport 2
Google imagery (2011) shows two aircraft parked at Tripoli International Airport Ilyushin Il-78
 Soviet Union
Air to air refueller 4 Mil Mi-24 Hind
 Russia
Heavy attack helicopter
Mi-24A/Mi-25/Mi-35
35
Three captured by Chadian rebels in the 80s and sent to France and US for evaluation. Some source considers Mi-35; #853 destroyed by fire on the ground on 23 Feb 2011 or days before[citation needed] #854 captured by rebels.[citation needed] Mi-24 shot down by anti-Gaddafi rebels in Misrata, 28 Feb 2011.[citation needed]. Mi-24[citation needed] shot down anti-Gaddafi rebels in Ra's Lanuf, 6 March 2011[55]
Sukhoi Su-24
 Soviet Union
Bomber/Ground attack
Sukhoi Su-24MK
2
One lost in a fire,
One reported to have been shot down outside Ra's Lanuf on 5 March 2011 by anti-Gaddafi rebels.[49] Soko J-21 Jastreb
 Yugoslavia
Light ground attack
J-21E
13 Aero L-39 Albatros
 Czechoslovakia
Light attack/trainer
Aero L-39ZO
110 Aermacchi SF.260
 Italy
Basic trainer
SF.260WL/ML
19
One SF.260ML crushed under a tank at Misrata airport on February 23, 2011.[50] Soko G-2 Galeb
 Yugoslavia
Light attack/trainer
G-2A-E
104
One destroyed by a French Rafale fighter at Misrata airport on March 24, 2011.[51]
The air force was first established as the Royal Libyan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya al Libiyya) in 1951. In 1970 it changed its name to the Libyan Arab Republic Air Force.

After U.S. forces had left Libya in 1970, Wheelus Air Base, a previous U.S. facility about seven miles (11 km) from Tripoli, became a Libyan Air Force installation and was renamed Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. OBN AB housed the LPAF's headquarters and a large share of its major training facilities.
Two were flown to Malta on 21 February 2011 by pilots who, by their account, chose to apply for asylum after being instructed to bomb protesters.[36]
After the 1969 seizure of power by Colonel Gaddafi, aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Force took residence at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. With Soviet assistance, the Libyan Air Force was organized into one medium bomber squadron with Tupolev Tu-22s, three fighter interceptor squadrons,nike acg shoes, five forward ground attack squadrons, one counter-insurgency squadron, nine helicopter squadrons, and three air defense brigades deploying SA-2, SA-3, and Crotale missiles.[5] In 1971, 11 civilian C-130's were delivered by the USA and converted in Italy to military versions. Four C-100-30's were purchased from the Philippines and Luxembourg in 1981. In 1976, 20 CH-47 Chinook heavy transport helicopters were acquired from Italy, 14 of which were transferred to the army in the 1990s.
Much of Libyan air doctrine appears now to be of an ad hoc nature and contracted personnel from Yugoslavia, South Africa, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan provide piloting, maintenance and technical services.
Further reading Libyan Air Force article, Air Forces Monthly, September 2010 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Libyan Air Force Al Quwwatal Jawwiya al Jamahiriya - Libyan Arab Republic Air Force(LARAF
Libyan Air Force - Globalsecurity.org
Libyan Air Forces - Historical Listings - worldairforces.com
Libyan Detachment in Malta - aeroflight.co.uk
Photos of Libyan military aircraft - airliners.net
http://www.avions-militaires.net/dossiers/armee-air/lby.php (French) v · d · eMilitary of Libya v · d · eLists relating to aviation General Military Accidents/incidents Records

On 26 March 2011, French Air Force reported that 5 Soko G-2 Galeb aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Misrata airport together with 2 Mi-35 helicopters[29], but satellite images showed that the five fixed wing aircraft were MiG-23s.[30][31]
Military airports / Civil War
On 23 March 2011 British Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell was quoted by the BBC saying that the Libyan air force "no longer exists as a fighting force" and that Libyan air defenses had been damaged to the extent that NATO forces could now operate over Libyan airspace "with impunity."[28] On 24 March 2011 several media sources reported that a French Dassault Rafale destroyed a G-2 Galeb near Misrata. Initial reports of the French action said the Libyan plane, a G-2/Galeb with a single engine, was in the air when it was hit. French military spokesman Col Thierry Burkhard later said the plane had just landed when the attack took place.
Military airforce bases include [34]:
The 1990s drop in oil prices and UN embargo made purchase of modern equipment almost impossible. UN sanctions were lifted in early 1999 and Libya started prospective negotiations with Russia about upgrades for its MiG-21s and MiG-25s while also expressing an interest in MiG-29s, MiG-31s and long-range SAMs. However, many of the transport and combat aircraft are in storage.
Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Libiyya

During the 2011 Libyan uprising, Libyan Air Force warplanes and attack helicopters launched repeated airstrikes on protesters, reportedly targeting a funeral procession and a group of protesters trying to reach an army base.[8][9] On 21 February 2011, two senior Libyan Air Force pilots defected and flew their Mirage F1 fighter jets to Malta and requested political asylum after defying orders to bomb protesters.[10]
Sukhoi Su-22
 Soviet Union
Ground attack
Sukhoi Su-22M3/UM-3K
36
One lost on 23 February 2011 as the crew of two refused to follow an order to attack protesters and ejected out of their plane, which crashed near Ajdabiya, 100 miles (160 km) west of Benghazi.[47] A number of other Su-22 are claimed as shot down by the rebels[38]