The JAPCC has reviewed "Iraqi Air Power Reborn"

The Joint Air Power Competence Centre has published a review of my book Iraqi Air Power Reborn in the 23rd issue (p115) of the JAPCC journal.

The Joint Air Power Competence Center (JAPCC) is a NATO-accredited, multinational Center of Excellence (COE) based in Kalkar, Lower Rhine. The main focus of the JAPCC is the further development of the strategic / operational leadership and deployment principles for the use of NATO and JAPCC nations' airspace and space. This multi-national center of excellence, which is based on a German initiative, was launched in 2005. Since then, the JAPCC has been stimulating the further development of "Air and Space Power" through numerous concept papers and publications as well as the participation of various committees and working groups.

My publication in January

This month, I published in issue 18 of The Aviation Historian magazine about the story of Dassault Mirage in Zairian Air Force (FAZA). 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).

Mon interview pour RFI le 16 janvier 2017

Mon interview avec Olivier Fourt pour RFI (Radio France Internationale) le 16 janvier à propos des opérations menées en Libye par les pilotes d'Erik Prince (fondateur de l'ex-Blackwater) aux commandes des avions AT-802 "Air Tractor" déployés par les Emirats Arabes Unis en soutien au Général Haftar.

Interview audio




Erik Prince, fondateur de la société Blackwater, louerait ses services en Libye

Islamist militia used Chinese made dispersed landmines in Benghazi

On 8 December 2016, pro-LNA social-media account published footage of an unused Chinese made Type 84 remotely delivered antivehicle landmine with TYPE 122-15 ATML rocket found in Ganfouda district in Benghazi in a place seized from BRSC fighters few days ago. This is believed to be the first recorded use in Libya since the 2011 uprising and first by islamist militia forces fighting the LNA.

Terrific — Libyan Militants Now Have Deadly Chinese Landmines

LNA Air Force has now only one 'Flogger' in its fleet

Today, Libyan National Army Air Force lost its sole MiG-23ML in service, serial number '26453'. According to LNA Spox, the aircraft was shot down and crashed in Ganfouda / Bosnib area in Benghazi. The pilot, Colonel Younes Aldinạli, ejected, but suffered of a broken ankle on the left foot and some bruises. MiG-23ML '26453' entered in service in February 2016 soon after the lost of three others 'Flogger' in two months. Two MiG-23BNs were added to the fleet in April and May, but serial '8985 crashed on 6 July.

Erik Prince’s Mercenaries Are Bombing Libya

On Jan. 11, 2017, Intelligence Online — a professional journal covering the world’s intelligence services — revealed that the pilots of Air Tractor attack planes flying from Al Khadim air base in Libya are private contractors working for Erik Prince, the founder of the company formerly known as Blackwater. War Is Boring’s own sources in Libya confirmed the assertion. Our sources said that the pilots flying the United Arab Emirates Air Force IOMAX AT-802 Air Tractors — converted crop-dusters — are mercenaries and aren’t Arabs. Most of the for-profit aviators are American, according to IOL. Prince denied involvement in the UAE air operations.

Erik Prince’s Mercenaries Are Bombing Libya - For-profit combat pilots fly Emirati Air Tractors

A New Civil War Could Break Out in Libya

A New Civil War Could Break Out in Libya

Fresh fighting would pit the Libyan National Army against the Government of National Accord

by Wolfgang Pusztai and Arnaud Delalande

Beginning in December 2016, the Saraya Defend Benghazi — also known as Benghazi Defense Brigade — an Islamist militia group that formed in June 2016 to oppose Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s Tobruk-based Libyan National Army, was involved in the attack on facilities in Libya’s Oil Crescent.

The LNA decisively repulsed the attacks. But the wider conflict is only deepening — and could spark a new civil war in Libya pitting the two major claimants to the country’s leadership. Haftar and his allies in Tobruk on one side. On the other, the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.

Resource constraints on both sides could head off further fighting — assuming the local allies of both Haftar and the GNA behave themselves.

More infos : A New Civil War Could Break Out in Libya

Il y a 30 ans, l'Armée de l'Air frappait une nouvelle fois Ouadi-Doum

Yvon Goutx à bord de son Mirage F1CR au-dessus du Tchad (Crédit photo : Yvon Goutx)

Au cours de l'opération Manta, les forces françaises avaient établi une "Ligne rouge" le long du 15e parallèle - une position ayant pour but le blocage de toute avance des troupes de Mouammar Kadhafi ou de Goukouni Oueddei dans le sud du Tchad - qui fut étendue au 16e parallèle lorsqu'un Jaguar fut abattu et son pilote tué en janvier 1984. Le 16 février 1986, l'armée de l'air française lança un premier raid aérien sur une base aérienne libyenne construite près de l'oasis de Ouadi-Doum dans le nord du Tchad. La piste fut complètement détruite par onze Jaguar utilisant des bombes BAP-100, ainsi commençait l'Opération Epervier. Au début de janvier 1987, Habré voulu profiter de l'engagement des Libyens dans le Tibesti pour attaquer la ville de Fada. En représailles, les chasseurs libyens franchirent la ligne rouge pour frapper Oum-Chalouba et Arada, les forces françaises basées à Kalaït recevant quelques bombes.

Iraqi Army Aviation Mi-35M crashed near Baiji

An Iraqi Army Aviation Mi-35M crashed near Baiji this morning killing the four crew members : Pilot Mojtaba Kazazi Hilal, Lieutenant Hussein Kamel, Joey Omar Arif, Weapons technician Jabbar. The 35th Attack Squadron of Iraqi Army Aviation lost four others Mi-35M before, one crashed at Al-Saqlawiyah near Fallujah on 16 June 2014 and another was shot down on 3 October 2014 by a FN-6 MANPADS between Baiji and al-Senniyah. On 4 November, a pilot managed to make an emergency landing after beeing wounded by ground fire west of Ramadi. The helicopter and its crew were safe. On 22 August 2015, Mi-35M serial “YI-361” has made an emergency landing in a safe area west of Samarra after hit a power line. The crew was wounded and the helicopter suffered damages after starting to burn. On 4 April 2016, another Hind crashed near al-Kut airbase injuring the two crew members. On mid-2013, a contract was signed for an order of 28 Mi-35M and fifteen Mi-28NE helicopters. Twenty units have been already delivered into five batches of four : first in November 2013, the last on 26th August 2015. The fifteen remaining helicopters are in service with 35th Attack Squadron.