Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Lubnania |
| English Title: |
| Lebanese Air Force |
| Abbreviation: |
| LAF |
| First Established: |
| 1949 |
| ICAO Code: |
| ? |
| Country: |
| Lebanon |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
The Lebanese Air Force was first established in 1949, following the Israeli War of Independence on Lebanon’s southern border. The force was initially tasked with internal policing duties, operating from former French Air Force bases. In 1953 Vampire jet fighter-bombers and trainers began to arrive. These were later replaced by Hawker Hunters and in 1968 Dassault Mirage III supersonic fighter-bombers entered service. The civil war which began in the mid-1970s saw the military intervention of both Syria and Israel. During the civil war, the LAF became a largely helicopter force. Since the end of the civil war in the late 1990s, a number of fixed-wing aircraft have been returned to service and orders have been placed for additional equipment.
Key Dates
| 1949 | Lebanese Air Force first established | |
| 1953 | First jet aircraft delivered – Vampire | |
| 1961 | First helicopters received – Alouette II |
Current Status
To be added.
Future Plans
Take delivery of 3 Cessna 208 Caravan transports.
Take delivery of ten MiG-29s from Russia to replace the Hunters.
Take delivery of 10 SA330 Pumas from UAE.
Markings
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The Lebanese military serial numbering system consists of a letter prefix and a three digit mumber, e.g. L-160 for Vampire T.55 and L-1006 for UH-1H. The letter ‘L’ identifies Lebanon. The serials are not reused once a type has been retired.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Air Force Command, Yarzeh, Beirut.
Organisational Structure
The LAF is organised into seven Squadrons located at three air bases.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
Table of Historical Orders of Battle
Historical Order of Battle for 2002
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air bases currently used are Beirut Airport, Kleiat and Rayak.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases, here are also a number of smaller airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Lebanese Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
To be added
Websites
Official Lebanese Air Force webpage
Airliners.net Forum: Lebanese Air Force
The Independent Guide to the Lebanese Air Force