This week began by the large communication (video and photos) made by the LNA AF about the refurbishing of the two MiG-23BNs (serial number "4136" and "8985") and ended with the lost of one Mi-14 helicopter.
Operations
On 17th April, according to local sources, the two LDAF (Libya Dawn Air Force) Mirage F1EDs from Misrata airbase have carried out airstrikes against IS positions in Sirte, but it seems that only one aircraft is currently operational. On 19th, a single LNA AF Mi-35 targeted terrorist groups in al-Hila, south of Derna. The day after, Mi-17s performed a series of air raids targeting terrorist militias in the city of Derna while the Mi-35s targeted a concentration of MSCD (Mujahideen Shura Council In Derna) militants at the western entrance to the city. Two overnight airstrikes were carried out on 21st, one against MSCD forces in the same area.
On Friday, 22nd April, the Air Force performed the following tasks :
- Fighter jets targeted two groups of fugitive terrorist from the city of Derna, one southeastern city of Ajdabiya at a distance of 80 km and the second southeast of the village of Moor distance of 60 kilometers;
- An ammunition storage in Qnfodh area has been hit resulting in a fire and smoke;
- Warplanes targeted concentrations of terrorist groups in the region of Alkwarshh Walvakat.
Crashed of a Mi-14 ambulance helicopter
On Friday, 22nd, the Mi-14 ambulance helicopter serial number "LC1417" crashed as a result of a technical malfunction while landing at Labraq airbase killing three crew members : Mohammed Abdel Razeq Nadouri, Colonel Hamad Alfsi and Mohamed Ben Arous. The rest of the crew and passengers (four people) were injured and transported to hospitals.
Edit 27 April : Chief of staff of LNA Air Force, Col Ali Megreisi died. He was severely burned in the Mi-14 crashed.
Crashed of a Mi-14 ambulance helicopter
On Friday, 22nd, the Mi-14 ambulance helicopter serial number "LC1417" crashed as a result of a technical malfunction while landing at Labraq airbase killing three crew members : Mohammed Abdel Razeq Nadouri, Colonel Hamad Alfsi and Mohamed Ben Arous. The rest of the crew and passengers (four people) were injured and transported to hospitals.
Edit 27 April : Chief of staff of LNA Air Force, Col Ali Megreisi died. He was severely burned in the Mi-14 crashed.
Good to see a country retaking responsibility for it's own security and sovereignty. I am Brit/Irish, living in France, and know it is difficult for another country to run your country. Your blog is fascinating both because I am an airplane nut, but it demonstrates that you can retake control of your own country after international intervention, and not need the presence of foreign aid for ever. Bon courage mes braves.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, but I am not Libyan, but French ;)
DeleteSeeing MiG-23BN with both roundels still confuses me. Why have both? What is the meaning of these two different roundels if they do not seperate the two "air forces?"
ReplyDeleteThe two air forces are splited since 2014, but the two type of roundels are used by both air forces.
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