American Rushes to Help After a Storm Nearly Wipes Out the Chadian Air Force

On July 1, 2017, severe wind and heavy rain inflicted significant damage to a large number of Chadian air force aircraft stationed at N’Djamena air base. Three of the air force’s six Fennec helicopters and several hangars were seriously damaged or even totally destroyed.

Less severe damage was observed on at least one MiG-29, one PC-12 and two Su-25s that were struck by debris as hangars collapsed over them.

These losses represented a major blow to Chad’s campaign against the Boko Haram militant group. Recognizing this, the U.S. military rushed to help the Chadians rebuild.

American Rushes to Help After a Storm Nearly Wipes Out the Chadian Air Force - U.S. airmen build shelters, train Chadians on new planes

My publications in January 2018

To get off to a good start this year 2018, two of my stories are published in January issues of "Defense et Securite Internationale" (No.133) and "The Aviation Historian" (No.22). The first analyzes the involvement of Nigerian and Chadian air forces in the fight against Boko Haram since 2011. The second tells the epic story of the Gabonese Presidential Guard squadron in which flew several former pilots of the French Air Force especially on the famous Douglas AD-4 Skyraider.

Nigeria and Allies Launch a Major Attack on Boko Haram

On Jan. 14, 2018, Boko Haram – an Islamist group from northeast Nigeria led by jihadist leader Abubakar Shekau – released a video depicting the remains of a Nigerian air force Mi-171 helicopter the group claimed it shot down.

The alleged shoot-down occurred amid an intensive new offensive targeting the group. On Jan. 8, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon launched an operation aimed at two Boko Haram factions in the group’s Nigeria stronghold. The day the operation began, another Mi-17 crashed during a mission in northeast Nigeria.

Nigeria has battled Boko Haram since 2011. Cameroon, too, has fought the group for years. In mid-January 2015, the Chadian National Assembly approved Pres. Idris Déby’s request to deploy soldiers to support Cameroon.

Nigeria and Allies Launch a Major Attack on Boko Haram - Multiple aircraft losses reported amid intensive air support

My publication for October 2017

In October issue (No. 355) of Air Force Monthly magazines, I published my fourth contribution to the "Flashpoint" series of short reports : "Tough times for Chadian Air Force", the reborn of Chadian Air Force and its involvement in the war against Boko Haram until a storm damaged most of CAF fleet last July.

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.