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Please keep coming back regularly to read about news related to the Lebanese Air Force.

 

 

 

 

 

 

28.08.2008

A Lebanese Air Force helicopter has made an emergency landing after coming under fire from an unknown ground source over Tilal Sijud in Nabatieh.  Lieutenant pilot Samer Hanna has been reportedly killed in the incident and 3 others in the helicopter have been wounded..

 

26.08.2008

A decision has been made to refurbish a number of existing Agusta Bell 212 utility helicopters.  The air force hopes that up to 5 of the type can be put into service once again.

The deal also includes the repair of  a number of grounded Bell UH-1H utility helicopters for the past 2 or 3 years.

 

23.08.2008

For the first time since 1993, the Lebanese Air Force will start recruiting and training pilots for fixed wing aircraft.  Because of lack of local expertees and equipment, the cadets who will be devided into small groups, will continue their basic and advanced trainings in the UAE, Egypt and Jordan and will form the core of the fighter pilots of the future.  Other friendly Arab states may later contribute to the program.

 

21.08.2008

The Lebanese Air Force will soon be recomissioning the 3 surviving Scottish Aviation Bulldogs basic trainers into active service.

 

18.08.2008

Specialists from IAR will soon be conducting checks and feasibility studies on existing 2 or 3 Lebanese Air Force Puma helicopters for the purpose of overhauling these helicopters back into active service. 

 

15.08.2008

The acquisition of Hawk trainer jets from the UAE has been dropped by the air force after studies that were carried out in the past few months.  Other trainer jets are currently beeing considered which meet the air force's future plans better.

 

07.08.2008

As-Safir daily reports that Lebanon will soon purchase 2 Kamov Ka-32 Russian made helicopters.  The interior ministry plans to raise funds to cover the cost of the firefighting helicopters which have proved their worth in the past few days in their operations in Lebanon. 

Link to story (Arabic)

 

04.08.2008

A Kamov Ka-32A dual rotor helicopter has arrived at the Beirut Air Force Base on lease, which will be used for firefighting missions alongside Lebanese Air Force UH-1H Hueys.

 

 

The Kamov Ka-32 en route to Kartaba on August 4, 2008

Photo copyright by Vatche Mitilian

 

 

23.07.2007

Majority leader MP Saad Hariri has offered the cost of leasing 2 firefighting helicopters from Cyprus for a 3 months period to the Higher Relief Council. 

 

02.07.2008

An Agusta Westland 139 helicopter was gifted by Qatar to Lebanon which will serve as the Presidential helicopter.  The VIP configured Agusta 139 will be operated by the Lebanese Air Force.

 

29.06.2008

Al Shiraah weekly reports of talks between Lebanese and US military officials for possible US made fighters for the air force.  The report could not be independently verified.

 

20.06.2008

A Lebanese Air Force Gazelle helicopter has made a forced landing near Taybe (Baalbek) in the Bekaa Valley injuring two of its pilots.  The helicopter, which was on a routine training mission, has been burnt and written off.  Injuries of the pilots are reportedly non life threatening and the accident has been quoted to technical difficulties.

 

17.06.2008

Al Manar TV:  For the first time since the May 17 agreement in 1983, the US is willing to provide the Lebanese Air Force with attack helicopters.  So far, the US has only supplied unarmed utility helicopters to the air force.

 

01.06.2008

The Hawker Hunter is expected to fly again very soon as the Martin Baker ejection seat cartridges have been made available.

 

01.06.2008

The UAE has agreed to donate a number of  Hawk jets to the Lebanese Air Force.

 

31.05.2008

During a surprise visit to Beirut, U.S. Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Eric Edelman told reporters that the US will supply the Lebanese Air Force a number of utility helicopters. No mention was made about the number and type of the helicopters.
The stratement was made after the US delegation had discussions with Lebanese officials, including President Sleiman, Defence minister Murr and acting army commander Brigadier el-Masri, involving an aid package to the Lebanese Army.
In response to a question about the possibility of "aeroplanes" (meaning fighters or jets) for the air force, he stressed that discussions didn't involve such equipment.
 

 

03.12.2007
The UAE has offered trainings for Lebanese pilot on its Hawk jets for free.  Also, the Lebanese Air Force is hopeful for former Saudi Arabian or Jordanian F-5 E/Fs.

14.11.2007
The Lebanese media reacts negatively about the possible transfer of old TA-3 jet trainers to the Lebanese Air Force.

12.11.2007
US sources tell DefenseNews.com that they are willing to provide 3 TA-3 Skyworrier or TA-4J Skyhawk trainers to the Lebanese Air Force to be followed by another 2 or 3 of the same type.

21.10.2007
Lebanese military sources tell news media about intentions of purchasing 3 to 6 jet fighters or jet trainers for the ground attack role, as well as the purchase of 6 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

03.09.2007
The battle of Nahr e-Bared is concluded after 4 months of bloody battles between the Lebanese Army and the Fateh el-Islam militants.  The Lebanese Air Force plays a decisive role in defeating the uprising.

19.08.2007
News are being surfaced of the re-introduction of the Hawker Hunter jets into service to take part in bombing missions of Fath el-Islam positions in the Nahr el-Bared camp.

16.08.2007
Bell 205 UH-1H helicopters of the air force are taking part in combat for the first time by dropping heavy 250 kg bombs towards militant fortifications in the Nahr el-Bared refugee camp.  It is also reported that 454 kg bombs are also being used in the bombing missions.

02.06.2007
Lebanese Air Force helicopters (believed to be Gazelles) have reportedly fired rockets in support of the ground troops at militant positions in the Naher el-Bared refugee camp.

 

 

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