Lebanese Air Force

The Lebanese Air Force is the air force branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

History

The Lebanese Air Force was established in 1949. Soon after its establishment a number of planes were donated by the British, French, and Italian governments. A few years later, in 1953, jet fighters were introduced when a number of de Havilland Vampire jets were received. The first Hawker Hunters arrived in 1959 and were followed by additional fighters through 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. [ [http://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/English/AirforceMain.asp] , Lebanese Army (official website)]

The air force, in the absence of operational fixed wing aircraft, currently relies on a helicopter force but is currently in the process of re-introduction of a small number of jets to enhance its capabilities. The Lebanese Air Force consists of six squadrons: 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.

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. [ [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon: US and French Operations in 1983 ] ]

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.

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.

Aircraft inventory

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Total [ [http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/lebanon/index.php Lebanese military aviation OrBat] ]

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Status! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
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Augusta-Bell AB 212 || ||Naval Patrol
Battlefield Scout
Anti-tank|| 9 || Active || UAE will help the Lebanese Army to restore three of the original batch delivered in 1980. [ [http://www.scramble.nl/lb.htm Lebanese Air Force] ]
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Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma || ||President's helicopter || 1 || Active || Presidential setting
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Fouga Magister CM-170 || ||Utility Helicopter
Trainer || 4 || Active ||
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Scottish Aviation Bulldog || UK ||Basic Trainer || 4 || Stored |

References

External links

* [http://xairforces.net/airforces.asp?id=55 pictures of the Lebanese Air Force]