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Libyan Air Force
LIbyan Air Force emblem
Libyan Air Force emblem.
Active 1951 (2011)
Country Flag of Libya Libya
Type Air Force
Role Aerial warfare, close air support,[1] frontier patrol/territorial sovereignty missions[2]
Size 4,500 personnel
Equipment 57 aircraft
31 helicopters
Engagements Six-Day War
Yom Kippur War
Libyan–Egyptian War
Chadian–Libyan conflict
Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)
Gulf of Sidra incident (1989)
Libyan Civil War
Post-civil war violence in Libya[1]
Commanders
Chief of Staff Saqr Geroushi[3][4]
Notable
commanders
Commander Mahmoud Berrhouma[5]
Insignia
Libyan Air Force Flag Flag of the Libyan Air Force
Identification
symbol
Free Libyan Airforce Roudel
Fin Flash Free Libyan Airforce Fin Flash
Aircraft flown
Fighter MiG-21,[6] MiG-23, Aero L-39, F-1 Mirage,[2]
Attack helicopter Mi-25[citation needed]
Multirole helicopter CH-47 Chinook,[2] Mil Mi-17, Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-2[citation needed]
Trainer Soko G-2 Galeb, SF.260[citation needed]

The Libyan Air Force (Arabic language: القوات الجوية الليبية‎) is the branch of the Libyan military responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the Libyan Civil War, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft[7] operating from 13 military airbases in Libya.[8]

The air force was first established as the Royal Libyan Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya al Libiyya) in 1951. It was originally equipped with a small number of transports and trainers: Douglas C-47s and Lockheed T-33s. However, F-5 Freedom Fighters were delivered from 1967. In 1970 it changed its name to the Libyan Arab Republic Air Force. After U.S. forces left Libya in 1970, Wheelus Air Base, a previous U.S. facility about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Tripoli, became a LAR Air Force installation and was renamed Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. The base housed the LARAF's headquarters and a large share of its major training facilities. From 1970 a very large expansion of the air force took place, with a grand number of Soviet and some French combat aircraft being purchased.

History[]

Cold War[]

F-4N of VF-51 intercepts Libyan Tu-22 1977

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4N Phantom II intercepts a Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-22 "Blinder" bomber being delivered to the Libyan Arab Republic, circa April 1977.

During May 1967 the Kingdom of Libya reached an agreement with the United States to supply 10 Northrop F-5s to the Royal Libyan Air Force.[9] 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 bases in the U.S., pilots at Williams Air Force Base; a U.S. Survey Team on Expansion came to Libya in August 1968 to supervise the introduction of the fighters. Serviceability of the F-5s declined after the 1969 coup and it appears that most may have eventually been sold to Turkey.

LARAF Soviet-made MiG-17/19/25 fighters and Tu-22 bombers were based at Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. 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 Arab Republic Air Force was organized into one medium bomber squadron with Tupolev Tu-22s, three fighter interceptor squadrons, 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.[10] 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. In 1971, 11 civilian C-130's were delivered by the United States and converted in Italy to military versions. Four L-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 during the 1990s.

Libyan MiG-25 in flight c1985

A Jamahiriya Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25.

The Libyan Arab Republic Air Force operated a large number of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25s, some sources say more than 60 were delivered. Types were of the MiG-25PD, MiG-25RBK, MiG-25PU and MiG-25RU variants. They were operated by No. 1025 Squadron at Jufra-Hun, No. 1055 Squadron at Ghardabiya and an unidentified squadron at Sabha Air Base.[11] As of February 2007 Air Forces Monthly reported all aircraft of the type had been retired.[12] In addition, Dassault Mirage 5 aircraft bought shortly after Gaddafi took power were also retired by 2008, becoming used for Pakistan Air Force spares.[13]

F-4J of VF-74 with Libyan MiG-23 over Gulf of Sidra 1981

A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-74 Be-Devilers escorting a Libyan Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 over Gulf of Sidra in August 1981.

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 also involved in combat against Tanzania in 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]

In the 1970s and '80s Libyan MiGs and Tupolevs were common visitors to international airspace, close to Italy and NATO bases. On 19 July 1980, a Libyan People's Air Force MiG-23 crashed on the Sila Mountains in Castelsilano, Calabria, southern Italy.[14] On 27 June 1980 an Italian plane exploded while en route from Bologna to Palermo, off the island of Ustica.[citation needed]

The LPAF lost a total of four aircraft to United States Navy F-14 Tomcats in two incidents over the Gulf of Sidra, in 1981[15] 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.

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 People's Air Force bombing raids were carried out at excessively high altitudes when met with anti-aircraft fire, so the attacks were not very effective. On 17 February 1986, in retaliation for the Ouadi Doum air raid by the French air force, a single LPAF Tu-22B attacked the airport at N'Djamena. That aircraft ran into technical problems on its return journey – American early warning reconnaissance planes based in Sudan monitored distress calls sent by the pilot of the Tu-22 which probably crashed before reaching its base at Aouzou (maybe hit by twin-tubes that fired at it from N'Djamena airport).[16] One Tu-22 bomber was shot down by a captured SA-6 missile during a Chadian 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 LPAF bombers that were attacking N'Djamena.

The Chadians seized the Ouadi Doum base in 1987 and destroyed or captured two SF.260s, three Mil Mi-25s, two Tu-22B bombers, eleven L-39 jets, two complete 9K33 Osa (SA-8) SAM batteries,[17] and a plethora of additional equipment, weapons, supplies and ammunition – a good deal of which was flown out to France and the United States within the next five days. Four USAF C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft were sent to N'Djamena to collect the captured Jamahiriya equipment. On 5 September 1987 Chadian technicals crossed into Libya and attacked the Maaten al-Sarra Air Base which is 96.5 kilometres (60.0 mi) within Libyan territory. The battle of Maaten al-Sarra was a major victory for Chad and several LPAF aircraft were destroyed on the ground with only minor Chadian casualties.[18]

On 8 October 1987, an LPAF 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 LPAF immediately organized a recovery operation; subsequently a Jamahiriya MiG-23 Flogger was also shot down by another Stinger. In December 1988 a Libyan People's Air Force SF.260 was shot down over northern Chad by Chadian troops.

By contrast, the considerable Jamahiriya cargo plane fleet was apparently employed effectively in Chad and elsewhere.[citation needed]

Post–Cold War to Libyan civil war[]

Libyan Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M3 Lofting

Former LARAF Sukhoi Su-22M3 Fitter-H

With the dissolution 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 to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was six Su-24 Fencers in March/April 1989.

The Libyan armed forces' air doctrine of the 1990s and 2000s appeared to be of an ad hoc nature, and contracted personnel from Yugoslavia, South Africa, Russia, North Korea and Pakistan provided piloting, maintenance and technical services.[citation needed]

The 1990s drop in oil prices and a UN embargo made purchase of modern equipment almost impossible. UN sanctions were lifted in early 1999 and the Libyan People's Air Force 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 were in storage.[citation needed]

In January 2008 the Jamahiriya bought 4 ATR-42MP maritime patrol aircraft from Italy’s Alenia.

Before 2011, the LPAF MiG-21s did not fly at all due to reported serviceability issues and of 170 MiG-23s delivered, only 30-50 were believed to be flyable aircraft. Those ratios may have been similar for several other platforms.[citation needed]

Libyan civil war / NATO intervention[]

During the Libyan Civil War, Libyan People's 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. The human rights researcher Ahmed Elgazir had reported, that the Libyan News Centre (LNC) received a satellite phone call from a (not named) woman who was "witnessing the massacre in progress". This Information could not be verified, since phone lines in the country had been blocked.[19][20] On 21 February 2011, two senior LPAF pilots defected – they flew their Mirage F1 fighter jets to Malta and requested political asylum after defying orders to bomb protesters.[21]

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, 161 kilometres (100 mi) west of Benghazi, after refusing orders to bomb the city of Benghazi.[22] Anti-Gaddafi forces and Syrian opposition groups claim that Syrian pilots were flying attacks for the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.[23] Rebels claimed to have shot down Jamahiriya jets over Brega and Ra's Lanuf.[24]

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) were also forced down. Exactly how many and what types of aircraft have been shot down were not confirmed by Jamahiriya government or independent sources. Using air power, the Libyan military checked the opposition advance westwards, towards Bin Jawad in early March.[25] On 13 March 2011, Ali Atiyya, a colonel of the Libyan People's Air Force at the Mitiga military airport, near Tripoli, announced that he had defected and joined the revolution.[26] Rebels claimed to have shot down what appeared to be a MiG-21 outside of Bohadi. On 17 March, a Jamahiriya Su-22M-3K was shot down over Benina AB, the pilot ejected safely and was captured.[27] 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 Air Base near Sirte to Benina by a defecting pilot the day before.[28]

On 19 March 2011, a rebel MiG-23BN was shot down over Benghazi by rebel air defence forces in a case of mistaken identity.[29] The pilot ejected, but at a very low altitude, and was reported to have been killed as a result.[30][31] BBC News reported on 20 March that the rebel aircraft was shot down by its own air defenses[32]

Ghardabiya Airfield - Damaged Aircraft Shelters - Operation Odyssey Dawn

Damage to the Libyan People's Air Force airfield Ghardabiya after being attacked by coalition aircraft, 20 March 2011

Two days later, the UN Security Council adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 which legitimised the operation. U.S. and British warships launched more than 120 Tomahawk cruise missiles against Jamahiriya air defences and four U.S. B-2 stealth bombers attacked several airfields.[33]

On 23 March 2011, British Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell was quoted by the BBC saying that the Libyan People's 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."[34] 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 LPAF 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.

On 26 March 2011, the French Air Force reported that five Soko G-2 Galeb aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Misrata airport together with two Mi-35 helicopters,[35] but satellite images showed that the five fixed wing aircraft were MiG-23s.[36]

A Belgian Air Force F-16 hit a Libyan People's Air Force Su-22M-3K plane on the ground during an operation on 27 March.[37]

On 7 May 2011, after weeks of complete inactivity, the Libyan People's Air Force conducted a successful air raid over the rebel-held fuel depots at Misrata 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 Misrata airport. NATO failed to intercept the bombing mission.[38]

Following the defeat of forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and the rebel victory in October 2011, the no fly zone was lifted and two grounded Jamahiriya air force Mirages that had been based in Malta after their pilots refused orders to bomb the opposition during the civil war, were to be returned to Libya in February 2012.[39] The jets were finally returned to Libya on 21 February 2012, exactly a year to the day after they defected.[40]

Military airports / Civil War[]

Military airforce bases include:[41]

  • Mitiga (near Tripoli): formerly USAF Wheelus Air Base, later "Okba Ben Nafi" when used by Soviet Air Force. Damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on 20 and 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Maaten al-Sarra Air Base south of Libya, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Benina (near Benghazi), under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Misrata Airport, damaged by coalition air strikes on 25 and 26 March and under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghardabiya Air Base Map near Sirte, damaged by Coalition air and missile strikes on 20 and 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghadames Airport, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Sabha Air Base, damaged by coalition air strikes on 21 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Bayda, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Tobruk, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • El Ademe, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Ghat Airport, under anti-Gaddafi forces control
  • Al Jufra Air Base attacked by French Air Force on 24 March, under anti-Gaddafi forces control

Future[]

On 20 June 2012 the Air Force Chief of Staff, Saqr Geroushi,[3] announced plans for the rebuilding of the Libyan Air Force. The plans included proposals for the purchase of two squadrons of French Rafale fighter aircraft, a number of British Eurofighter Typhoons; and additional new French F1-Mirage jets, American C-130H Hercules cargo planes and CH-47 Chinook helicopters[4] – as the post–2011 air force inherited some intact Mirages, C-130Hs and CH-47s following the civil war.[2]

Aircraft[]

Aircraft Country of origin Type Version In service Notes
Fighter Aircraft
Dassault Mirage F1 Flag of France France fighter aircraft F1ED 2[42] 2 defected to Malta on February 21, 2011; restored by France and returned on February 22, 2012 by French-trained Libyan pilots. Another 10 units not airworthy, restoration of the fleet, along with training for Libyan flight crews and technical staff was included in the defense cooperation agreement signed in February 2012.[43]
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union fighter aircraft MiG‑21bis 7[42] Several captured in Benina and Tobruk airbases. Up to four MiG-21bis/UM defected at Benina airbase.[44][verification needed] One MiG-21bis crashed after take-off from Benina airport due to technical malfunction on 17 March 2011.[45] One of these was deployed along with a MiG-21UM during the 2012 Sabha clashes.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union fighter aircraft MiG‑23ML 4[42] Four captured by rebels at Tobruk air base.[46][verification needed][verification needed] Four captured by rebels in hangar at Misrata.[47][verification needed][verification needed] One captured by rebels at Al-Abrak.[48] One MiG-23BN claimed to be lost over Tripoli in 13 March 2011. One MiG-23 was shot down over Benghazi in 19 March 2011. At least one is based at Benghazi along with a MiG-23UB.
Trainer Aircraft
Aero L-39 Albatros Flag of the Czech Republic Czechoslovakia light attack/trainer Aero L-39ZO 1[42] Two seized during the battle of Tripoli.[49]
Transport Aircraft
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules United States Military transport aircraft C-130J 0[42] 2 on order[50]
C-130H Hercules United States Medium Transport C-130H/L100 3[42] Used for medical evacuation and delivering medical supplies,[51] as well as supplying ammunition to remote rebel units.
Antonov An-26 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union medium transport 2[42] One captured by protesters in Kufra on 17 February,[27][verification needed] two seized during the battle of Tripoli. Probably not airworthy.[49][verification needed]
Antonov An-72 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union Medium Transport 1[42] One active as of January 2015.
Helicopters
Boeing CH-47 Chinook United States heavy transport helicopter CH-47C 3[42] One seized during the battle of Tripoli. Probably not airworthy.[49]
AgustaWestland AW139 Flag of Italy Italy transport helicopter AW139 1[42]
Mil Mi-2 Flag of Poland Poland transport helicopter Mi-2 4[42] Several captured in Misrata airbase; currently status is unknown.
Mil Mi-8 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union transport helicopter Mi-8T/MT 3 Captured in abandoned condition at Ra's Lanuf airfield on 4 March.[27] Another Mi-8T(cn8335) crashed 11 April 2012 without any fatalities.
Mil Mi-14 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union ASW helicopter Mi-14 4[42] At least three captured in Benina airbase.[52][verification needed]
Mil Mi-17 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union/Flag of Russia Russia transport helicopter Mi-17 6 At least one captured in Benghazi. One was seen during the Battle of Sirte, another during the Battle of Misrata.[53][verification needed]
Mil Mi-24 Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union attack helicopter Mi-25 3[42] At least two captured in Benina airbase;[54] One shot down by loyalist forces.[55]
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Aeryon Scout Flag of Canada Canada Miniature UAV Aeryon Scout 2 [56] Aeryon Labs Inc provided one Aeryon Scout to the Libyan rebels, including training provided by Zariba Security Corporation.[56][57]
Air defence SAM

Retired aircraft[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "First images of Mig-21s in Free Libya Air Force markings". The Aviationist. 21 April 2012. http://theaviationist.com/2012/04/09/mig21-flaf/. Retrieved 6 September 2012. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Libyan Air force to be re-equipped with Rafale and Typhoon multi-role fighters. And some U.S. planes too.". The Aviationist. 4 July 2012. http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/04/lybia-af-future/. Retrieved 6 September 2012. "...Geroushi said that the Libyan Arab Air Force is looking to purchase two squadrons of French Rafale, along with a number of French Mirage F-1 aircraft (to bolster those they already have). The Libyans also plan to buy Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK as well as some more C-130 cargo planes and Ch-47 [sic] Chinook helicopters from the United States." 
  3. 3.0 3.1 George Grant (23 June 2012). ""Business as usual" for British embassy following rocket attack on ambassador". Libya Herald. http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=9760. Retrieved 6 September 2012. "Sir Dominic [Asquith] refused to confirm or deny whether or not the British government had been approached by Libya for the purchase of a number of Eurofighter Typhoons, as announced earlier this week by the air force chief of staff, Saqr Geroushi." 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Libyan air force set for major upgrade". Libya Herald. 20 June 2012. http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=9655. Retrieved 24 June 2012. 
  5. "Air force commander shot in Benghazi hit-and-run attack". Libya Herald. 30 August 2012. http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=13470. Retrieved 6 September 2012. 
  6. Sami Zaptia (12 April 2012). "Government bullish about integrity of Saif trial; promises elections will be on time.". Libya Herald. http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=4658. Retrieved 6 September 2012. "The [Prime Minister's] official spokesperson [Nasser Al-Mana] allayed the fears of Tripoli inhabitants that the low flying fighter jets heard over the skies of Tripoli were not foreign jets, but three MIG 21 [sic] Libyan Air Force jets from the [']Tobruk Freedom Squadron['] engaging in manoeuvres [sic]." 
  7. Military Balance 2010. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2010. p. 263. 
  8. Middle East Military Balance: Libya
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  13. Libyan Mirages in Use for Pakistan AF Spares, Air Forces Monthly, June 2008 issue, p. 32
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  22. "Libya pilot rejects Benghazi bombing, ditches plane". http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/6298/World/Region/Libya-pilot-rejects-Benghazi-bombing,-ditches-plan.aspx. Retrieved 25 February 2011. 
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  26. http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/crowd-mourns-ali-hassan-al-jabir/
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  28. http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=121151
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  30. Xinhua, [1], 19 March 2011
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  33. Sam Dagher , Adam Entous, and Keith Johnson (20 March 2011). "Allied Forces Attack Libya". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704021504576211690643186556.html. Retrieved 20 March 2011. 
  34. "Gaddafi's air force 'defeated'". BBC News. 23 March 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12837330. Retrieved 23 March 2011. 
  35. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4048029,00.html
  36. "UPDATE 1-French forces destroy seven Libyan aircraft on ground". Reuters. 26 March 2011. http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72P0H620110326. 
  37. http://g1.globo.com/revolta-arabe/noticia/2011/03/imagens-mostram-ataque-de-caca-belga-aeronave-na-libia.html
  38. http://theboresight.blogspot.com/2011/03/spade-is-spade-for-odyssey-dawn.html
  39. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120110/local/Libyan-jets-set-to-return-home.401729
  40. http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=7920
  41. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/libya/airfields.htm
  42. 42.00 42.01 42.02 42.03 42.04 42.05 42.06 42.07 42.08 42.09 42.10 42.11 42.12 "World Air Forces 2015". http://img.en25.com/Web/flightglobal/%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412.pdf?elq={00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}&elqCampaignId=. Retrieved 12 January 2015. 
  43. Tran, Pierre (1 March 2012). "France To Renovate Libyan F1s, Provide Training". Defense News. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120301/DEFREG01/303010002/France-Renovate-Libyan-F1s-Provide-Training. Retrieved 22 January 2014. 
  44. "The Boresight: A Spade is a Spade for Odyssey Dawn". Theboresight.blogspot.com. http://theboresight.blogspot.com/2011/03/spade-is-spade-for-odyssey-dawn.html. Retrieved 2013-12-13. 
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  49. 49.0 49.1 49.2 "Gaddafi decaying military . Tripoli air base ex american wheels military base libya". YouTube. 2011-08-29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rUr2MkSeFA. Retrieved 2013-12-13. 
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  51. "Picture of the British Aerospace BAe-146-300 aircraft". Airliners.net. 6 July 2011. http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Libya/British-Aerospace-BAe-146-300/1952245/&sid=458961b14d53cff62036c69e43d76f3c. 
  52. "‫قائد الطائره الذي رفض قصف بنغازي". YouTube. 2011-06-29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M60sPXeb5ss. Retrieved 2013-12-13. 
  53. by Chad (2011-10-29). "Helicopters in Libya | Military In the Middle East". Milinme.wordpress.com. http://milinme.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/helicopters-in-libya/. Retrieved 2013-12-13. 
  54. "Libya unrest: Benghazi revels in freedom from Gaddafi". BBC News. 26 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12588839. 
  55. McGreal, Chris (10 April 2011). "Libya: rebel defences 'failing' as Gaddafi forces move towards Benghazi". The Guardian. London. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/10/libya-rebel-defences-gaddafi-forces-benghazi. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  56. 56.0 56.1 [2] Aeryon Scout Micro UAV Helps Libyan Rebels in March to Tripoli
  57. Canadian robot spy flies for Libyan rebels

World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 03

Further reading[]

  • Libyan Air Force article, Air Forces Monthly, September 2010
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