Video - Nigerian AF Gunship helicopters against Boko Haram

The video below is part of the VICE News report embedded with Nigerian 103 Battalion and 72 Mobile Strike Force during Bama Assault. Nigerian Air Force Gunship helicopters were engaged in combat begining April. In Maiduguri airstrip ( north-east of the country), two Mi-24B (NAF 260 and NAF 261) from 97 Special Operations Group, two AS332M1 Super Puma (NAF 265 and NAF 567) from 88th Air Transport squadron and two Gazelle took off to support ground forces.

Iraqi Army Aviation engaged in south of Kirkuk

These two video footage show Iraqi attack helicopters in combat south ok Kirkuk. First one was taken near al-Huija on April 6 and second one in Hamrin Mountain two days later. One Eurocopter EC-635 from 55th Attack Squadron, one Bell IA-407 from 21st Armed Reco Squadron and one Mi-35M from 35th Attack Squadron can be seen in combat operations.

Complément à l'article d'AIR FAN sur les Mirage zaïrois

Pour compléter l'article publié dans le magazine AIR FAN n°437 d'avril, voici deux vidéos extraites des journaux télévisés français du 22 mai 1978 (TF1 et Antenne 2). Un Mirage 5DM s'apprête à décoller de la base de Kamina pour une mission d'appui aux légionnaires du 2ème REP à Kolwezi. Il est piloté par le français Jean-Pierre Fartek (casque blanc) qui a pour co-pilote le Major Luamba reconnaissable à son casque vert.

To complete the article published in April issue of AIR FAN No. 437, below are two videos extracted from the French TV news on May, 22, 1978 (TF1 and Antenne 2). One Mirage 5DM prepares to take off from Kamina base for a support mission to the legionaries of the 2nd REP in Kolwezi. It is piloted by the French Jean-Pierre Fartek (white helmet), with co-pilot Major Luamba recognizable by its green helmet.

My publications in April

This month, I published two articles. First one  in issue 437 of AIR FAN French magazine about the story of Zairian Mirage 5M/DM. These aircraft were often piloted by French instructor for training Zairian, but also for attack missions, notably during the second Shaba war in 1978 (or Kolwezi crisis). The second article is published in April issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly. I draw up the order of battle of Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army Aviation. Ce mois-ci, je publie deux articles. Le premier dans le n°437 du magazine AIR FAN sur l'histoire des Mirage 5M/DM zaïrois. Ces avions étaient souvent pilotés par des instructeurs français pour la formation des zaïrois, mais aussi pour des missions d'attaque, notamment lors de la seconde guerre du Shaba en 1978 (ou crise de Kolwezi). Le second article est publié dans le numéro d'avril de Combat Aircraft Monthly. J'y établie l'ordre de bataille de la Force Aérienne Irakienne (IQAF) et de l'Iraqi Army Aviation (ALAT).