Iraqi Air Force finally received four Su-25s from Russia

Contrary to what spokesman of the Ministry of defence (Dr. Naseer Nouri Mohamed Al Tamimi) in a press release said yesterday, Iraqi Air Force did not received three, but four new Su-25s "Frogfoot" (three single-seaters and one two seaters) from Russia as the photos below show.

Update 21st April 2016 : The dual-seater serial "2501" is not a former Iranian aircraft. He was already spotted last October and was not part of the last delivery. The former user is not known ...

Video of Libyan MiG-23BN serial "8985" being refurbished

One weeks ago, the first photo of a former Libyan Air Force MiG-23BN being refurbished was published by this blog. Two of these "Flogger" equipped with refueling probe were stored since Libyan uprising in 2011 : serial numbers "4136" and "8985". "4136" was already seen with FLAF roundels and stored in a hangar contrary to "8985" which was stored outside. So, we could imagine that this MiG-23BN being renoved was "4136". Finally the video below show us this is serial "8985".

MiG-23BNs serial "4136" stored in a hangar with FLAF roundels and serial "8985" stored outside with green roundels of former LARAF

Iraq received three new Su-25s from Russia

Spokesman of the Ministry of defence (Dr. Naseer Nouri Mohamed Al Tamimi) in a press release of the Ministry's information centre announced the arrival of three new Sukhoi jets (Su-25), under contract with the Federal Republic of Russia, and tons of materiel (light, medium and heavy) from various global sources.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 9 - 15 April 2016

During the past seven days, air operations have intensified compared to previous week. In the early morning hours of 9th April, Libyan National Army Air Force fighter jets carried out sorties with high accuracy on terrorist groups holed up inside the University of Benghazi and Nowruz resort. They also performed airstrikes in the vicinity of the cement plant and Souk El Hout.

Iraqi Air Power Reborn: The Iraqi Air Arms Since 2004

After nearly a year of work with Harpia Publishing, my new book, "Iraqi Air Power Reborn" went to the printing house. In 2003, the Iraqi Air Force has been almost entirely decimated by coalition air strikes and during the insurgency that followed. Baghdad had to rebuild its air power from scratch. This book summarizes the history of the Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army Aviation until 2003 before detailing the acquiring of new training, reconnaissance, attack and fighter aircrafts and helicopters squadrons. The last part details the combats of the new Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army Aviation against local and foreign insurgents, including the so-called Islamic State. A map of all current Iraqi air bases complements the comprehensive photographic coverage and a detailed order of battle is included, together with squadron patches and artworks (drawn by Tom Cooper). A full list is provided of aircraft serial numbers and attrition to all causes since 2004.

Eight pages of the book are now available in preview on Harpia Publishing website. It should be available starting April 22nd and can be ordered in the following store :
- In Belgium, at the Librairie de l'Escadron
- In France, in Avions Bateaux and La Maison du Livre Aviation
- In the UK, at The Aviation Bookshop
- In the Netherlands, at Aviation Megastore
- In the US, at Casemate (not before late May/early June)

One MiG-23BN will soon enter in service with Libyan National Army Air Force

According to "Aérohisto blog" sources, one MiG-23BN will soon enter in service in Libyan National Army Air Force after being refurbished by technicians and engineers. This aircraft would be equipped with night vision system, missiles, guided bombs and refueling system ...

The new MiG-23BN refurbished by technicians and engineers during engine tests

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 2 - 8 April 2016

This week saw a significant events in Libya : the non-recognized (internationally) Tripoli government decided to step down. The following weeks will be interesting : Are there still going to be a separate LNA AF and LDAF ?

Operations

Otherwise, air operations continued. On 1st April, Mi-35P serial number "193" made an emergency landing due to technical problem. The crew was safe and rescue by a Mi-8 from Labraq AB. The "Hind" was in good condition and guarded by local militias pending the arrival of maintenance technicians who made the repairs on site. The helicopter took off again two days after.

The two crew members of Mi-35P serial number "193" (Credit : LNA AF)

Iraqi Mi-35M crashed near al-Kut airbase

An Iraqi Army Aviation Mi-35M crashed near al-Kut airbase this morning. The two crew members (injured in the accident) have reported a technical problem. This is the fourth "Hind" helicopter lost by Iraqi forces since June 2014 and the third helicopters (of all types) since the begining of the year. 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 sixteen remaining helicopters are in service with 35th Attack Squadron.

Photo of the wreckage of the Mi-35 crashed near al-Kut airbase (via Ra'is Urafa Fayli)

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 29 March - 1 April 2016

After the destruction of seven bulldozers/technicals during the night from 28th to 29th March by Mi-8 and Mi-35 helicopters, Libyan National Army Air Force launched new airstrikes with MiG-21MF serial number "18" equipped with two UB-16-57 S5 rocket pods and MiG-21UM loaded with two unguided bombs.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 26-28 March 2016

The air force of Tobruk governement (Libyan National Army Air force) continued its airstrikes against terrorist groups in Benghazi during all the weekend. On Saturday 26th, MiG-21MF serial number "18" carried out one mission from Tobruk AB in the outskirts of Benghazi using French made 400kg Type 21C SAMP aerial unguided bombs. On Sunday, the same aircraft was engaged in another airstrikes carrying S-24 rockets (diameter 24 cm or 9.4 inches), while MiG-23ML serial number "453" took off from Labraq AB.

Mi-35Ps from Labraq AB engaged in airstrikes against ISIS in Derna for two days

The Mi-35Ps of Libyan National Army Air Force (stationed at Labraq air base) launched airstrikes in Derna for two days. Yesterday, they targeted a supposed weapons and ammunition store, and a gathering of ISIS militants using FAB-250 unguided bombs. The video below was published by LNA AF and is supposed to show yesterday operation.

Libyan National Army Air Force has deployed MiG-21s to Ra's Lanuf Airport to carry out airstrikes last year

In January 2015, the battle for Libya’s two largest oil ports at the towns of al-Sidr and Ras Lanuf was going on between Libya Dawn militia and Libyan National Army. On December 13th, 2014, Libya Dawn forces, drawn mostly from Misratan militias, launched “Operation Sunrise” to wrest the terminals from Jathran and his Dignity backers. The fighting shut down the terminals’ operations. On December 25th, a rocket struck a storage tank, igniting an inferno that blotted the sky with thick black smoke. The blaze was subdued only after nine days. On 28th, LNA AF staged airstrikes on Misrata, targeting the port, an air force academy near the airport and Libya's biggest steel plant located in western city. On 30th, LNA Forces down a helicopter from Libya Dawn as it prepared to land at a military base near Sirte Airport, after it had taken part with other aircrafts in air raids on al-Sidr oil terminal (1) (2) The day after, another aircraft belonged to Fajir Libya militia was forced down after a similar attack on the oil terminal (3). On January 5th, 2015, LNA AF hit a Greek-owned tanker chartered by Libya's National Oil Corporation off the coast of Darna. To perform all of these airstrikes, the LNA AF has deployed MiG-21s and MiG-23s close to the battle at Benina AB. According to the video below, it seems that some "Fishbed" were also deployed to Ra's Lanuf Airport very close to the oil ports. As already written on this blog, LNA forces are assisted by Agusta A109 helicopters since a long time for coastal monitoring and assisting bombing missions. The A109 serial number "5A-DTJ" can be seen as it overflew the runway, together with MiG-21bis serial number "800" and MiG-21MF serial number "22" or "27".

Libyan National Army Air Force MiG-21 targeted a barge coming from Misrata

On March 18, 2016 morning, a Libyan National Army Air Force MiG-21 targeted a barge coming from Misrata city loaded with ten tanks, three BMPs, three Grad Rocket launchers and other armoured vehicles. This barge was towed by a tug and was coming as support for the remainder of the terrorist groups in the city of Benghazi. The barge was badly damaged on the right side and took fire. Three tugs were sent in a desperate attempt to save what remained of the barge and tried to hide it. The scene was filmed by the camera of an Agusta A109 helicopter after a Navy radar identified the approximate location of the trailer.

Libyan National Army uses Agusta A109 helicopters for recce and assisting bombing missions

Two days ago, this blog published the video of Mi-8 and Mi-35 airstrikes in Benghazi seen through the FLIR of two unidentified aircrafts. It seems that one of these aircrafts was an Agusta A109 helicopters in service in the Police. Libyan National Army uses them for recce and assisting bombing missions against terrorist groups.

Mi-8T seen through the FLIR of an Agusta A109 helicopter during a bombing mission

Iraqi Air Force lost a Cessna AC-208 Gran Caravan

Iraqi Air Force lost one of its Cessna-208s in the vicinity of Hawjah near Kirkuk today. According to ISIS militants, the aircraft was shot down by a 57mm machine-gun. It can be identified as serial "YI-119" (c/n "208B-1309") and was delivered on August 9th, 2011. The type is an AC-208 and was used as an attack airplane by the using of its two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and was part of the 3rd Attack and Reconnaissance Squadron. The three crew members (Brigadier General Ali Falih, Col. Mohammed Kazem and Maj. Mohamed Abdel Wahab) were killed in the crash.