Back from the Wilderness Back from the Wilderness IBYA HAS struggled to maintain a credible involve Libya militarily in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Building an air force air arm through four turbulent decades. After the young officers, led by Gaddafi, usurped Even prior to the last US and British troops leaving LAfter World War Two, the then Libyan Air the Idris regime, the new rulers had to look for Libya, before March 1970, Gaddafi opened Force (LAF) was just a small organisation, fresh sources of military equipment. Pursuit of negotiations with France for large amounts of although both the United States Air Force and British and US materiel would have been viewed new equipment. Royal Air Force regularly deployed aircraft to the as hypocritical, resulting in domestic and Arab The LAF was subsequently renamed Libyan Arab country. criticism as both nations were regarded as hostile Republic Air Force (LARAF), and then came a deal with After oil was discovered in 1959 Libya, then to Arab interests...and because of their support the French Government for a considerable amount one of the world’s poorest countries, became for Israel. of aircraft, support equipment, spares and weapons extremely wealthy. Generally, the West enjoyed Gaddafi demanded that Wheelus AFB be closed were purchased. The largest and most important of a warm relationship with Libya, with the US and its facilities immediately turned over to the these agreements was the order for approximately pursuing policies to aid its operations from Libyan people. While the US wished to retain 110 Dassault Mirage V fighter-bombers. The contract Wheelus Air Force Base (AFB) and considerable Wheelus, the strategic value of the facility had was signed in January 1970 and comprised 32 Mirage American oil interests. However, in September declined after the development of nuclear VDE radar-equipped interceptors (serials 101-132); 1969, Libya’s King Idris was overthrown in a coup missiles, which had effectively replaced many 15 Mirage VDD trainers (201-215); ten Mirage VDR masterminded by General Muammar Al Gaddafi, bomber bases. Libya also cancelled the treaty reconnaissance fighters (301-310); 53 Mirage VD who then ousted American and British forces from with Britain, so the British and US left at around fighter-bombers (401-453). his country. Allegedly, one of the many reasons the same time, the Americans leaving from According to several sources, Libya had already for the coup was the monarchy’s reluctance to Wheelus AFB. started transferring its brand new Mirage 5s to #268 AUGUST 2010 64 airforcesmonthly.com With armed conflict and sanctions now a thing of the past, Libya is on the road to re-building its air force. Patrick Roegies looks at the colourful history of the Libyan Arab Air Force as it is now known and explains how it is trying to recover after some 20 years of sanctions. Egypt by July 1971, and it is believed that the LARAF was operating up to 25 Mirages by the summer of 1972. Over the next two years, the equivalent of at least three squadrons, totalling 42 Mirage Vs (including 20 VDEs, 20 VDs and two VDDs), were flown to Egypt together with a considerable amount of spare parts, and were seen with full Egyptian Air Force (EAF) markings. By the summer of 1972 rumours had spread regarding deployment of LARAF Mirages to Egypt, and predictably, Israel protested and demanded that France immediately stop exporting Above: A 1023 Sqn MiG-23MLD taxies out at Metiga in October 2009. No 1203 Sqn, has around eight recently fighters to Libya. France forwarded the protest overhauled Floggers that play a big part in the air defence of Libya’s capital city, Tripoli. The MiG-23 has served to Libya, officially threatening to halt deliveries Libya since 1983/84 but most of its examples were grounded during the sanctions. if any further Mirages were transferred to Egypt. Main image: Between 1980 and 1982 Libya received 30 Mi-14PLs split between two squadrons. Although they are In reality, neither the Libyans nor the Egyptians predominantly Anti Surface Warfare helicopters, none are thought to operate in that role even though they still fly were intimidated by the ultimatum, assuming that with the AT-1ME aerial torpedo. Today they are more likely to be flown to patrol the Libyan coast line, searching for smugglers and refugees. Here, LC1406 is seen landing back at its squadron ramp at Metiga after a sortie. all photos, no action would be taken by the French anyway. key-alan warnes Gaddafi continued sending additional fighters to #268 AUGUST 2010 airforcesmonthly.com 65 Back from the Wilderness Above: This was the first Mirage F1 to be returned to service after so many years grounded, and is seen here being put through its paces at LAVEX in October 2009. The front seat of this F1BD is occupied by LAF pilot Colonel Ali Rabti and the rear seat by French Air Force F1 pilot Capt David Courteix. The LAF is expecting to return around 12 F1s to service after years of being stored. Conflict and There are around five Su-24MK Fencers serving the LAF. Sanctions They are flown by 1024 Sqn at Ghurdabiyah but suffer from maintenance and spare parts issues partly due to iBya has been entangled in armed the poor economies of flying such a small fleet. Six were Lconflicts with Egypt and Chad, but its originally delivered but one was lost in a ground fire. most notorious attacks have been against American interests. Following its bombing Egypt and as a result, by July 1973, approximately air arm in Africa and the Mediterranean. Initially, of Berlin’s La Belle discotheque, on April 5, 38 Mirages were in full service with the EAF’s 69 Libya was keen to secure an estimated 14 Tupolev 1986, in which two US servicemen died, the Squadron, at Birma/al-Tanta Air Base (AB). Tu-22B bombers. Two of these were intercepted USA retaliated with a bombing strike on April Almost directly after the end of the 1973 during their delivery flight by United States’ Navy 14, 1986. Operation El Dorado Canyon saw a October War, Libyan assistance to Egypt during F-4 Phantoms, while over the Mediterranean. This package of 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) the conflict, became a matter of contention interception was a just a precursor to Libya setting F-111Fs, from RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, UK, between the two states. Gaddafi concluded that itself on a collision course with the USA. attack several Libyan targets which included the results were poor, which gave him reason to For a short period during the mid-1970s, several a direct hit on Gaddafi’s home that killed an openly criticise Egypt and Syria for their limited Soviet Tu-16PP reconnaissance bombers operated adopted daughter. However, the catalyst for objectives and achievements...as well as Jordan from Libya, in full Libyan markings. From then on, United Nations (UN) and US embargoes was for not even daring to stand up to Israel. Soviet Air Force deployments took place in the the subsequent bombing of Pan Am Flight The final batch of Mirage Vs was delivered to North African state on a regular basis. 103, a Boeing 747, over Lockerbie, Scotland on Libya in 1974, and the remaining LARAF aircraft Returning to its French supplier, in 1974 the December 21, 1988, killing all 259 people on were returned from Egypt. LARAF purchased numerous Mirage F1s, including board and 11 on the ground. six F1BD trainers (serials 201-206), 16 F1ED International sanctions were put into effect Contact with Moscow fighters (501-516) and 16 F1AD fighter-bombers on April 15, 1988, after Libya refused to turn During 1973’s October War, the Libyan Government (401-416). The airframes were delivered between over the two suspects wanted in connection established relations with Moscow, and this 1977 and 1978, at a time when the type had only with the Lockerbie bombing. This prevented association was reinforced right through until the just entered French Air Force service. the country from purchasing new aircraft late 1980s. The LARAF became one of the Soviets’ The Libyan Army also placed an order for 20 and spare parts to maintain its operational most important clients, and the most powerful Boeing CH-47C Chinook transport helicopters inventory. But because the LARAF had received a large number of aircraft that were instantly stored, some theorise that it was LiByan Airfield locations able to maintain operations for a considerable time. The UN Security Council imposed economic sanctions on Libya in 1992, and in 1993 the air and arms embargoes imposed by the US, British and French governments were extended. This lasted for ten years and meant the LARAF was in a poor operational state. In March 2003, Libya reached a deal with the US and Britain to accept civil responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, and officially did so in August 2004, after notifying the UN. The embargo was finally lifted on September 21, 2004, and soon after, two An-124s and four An-32Ps were delivered to the LARAF, while three An-74TK-200/300s were ordered. It was around this time that the LARAF was redesignated the Libyan Arab Air Force (LAAF). #268 AUGUST 2010 66 airforcesmonthly.com in the mid-1970s, serialled LC-001 - LC020, but because of the now poor relations with the US, they did not come directly from the US. The twin- rotored machines were built under licence in the late 1970s by Italy’s Elicotteri Meridionali, a sister company of Agusta established in 1967. It is known that at least two deliveries took place in 1978 and another one in June, 1980.