Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Al Quwait Al Jawwiya Al Mlakiya Al Urduniya |
| English Title: |
| Royal Jordanian Air Force |
| Abbreviation: |
| RJAF |
| First Established: |
| 1949 |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Jordan |
| Status: |
| Active |
History
Narrative Summary
In 1923, after taking over the League of Nations mandate for Transjordan, the British established a military security force manned by local Arabs called the Arabs Legion. This force fought very successfully in World War Two. After the Israeli War of Independence, a small air unit called the Arab Legion Air Force (ALAF) was established in 1949 – largely manned by British personnel. In 1950 the training of Arab personnel began. The ALAF soon expanded and in 1955 received its first jet aircraft. In September 1955 the ALAF was renamed the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
Key Dates
| 22 October 1923 | Arab Legion established | |
| 1949 | Arab Legion Air Force first formed | |
| 1955 | First jet aircraft delivered – Vampire T.11 | |
| 25 September 1955 | Arab Legion Air Force renamed the Royal Jordanian Air Force | |
| 1958 | First helicopters received – Westland Widgeon |
Current Status
To be added.
Future Plans
Take delivery of 2 Ilyushin Il-76MF freighters.
A batch of six locally assembled Kamov Ka-226 helicopters is on order.
Markings
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The Jordanian military serial numbering system consists of a three or four digit mumber, e.g. 840 for a Hunter FGA.73A and 314 for an Alouette III. 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
Amman.
Organisational Structure
The RJAF is organised into two commands, Operations Command for combat, transport and reconnaissance units and Training Command for primary and basic flying training. There is also a Special Operations Aviation Brigade, which appears to operate independently of the normal command structure.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air bases currently used are Al Jafr, Al Mafraq, Amman-Marka IAP, El Azraq, H5 and Zarqa.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
In addition to the main bases, here are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are sometimes used by the Air Force.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Jordanian Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
To be added.
Websites
Official Jordanian Air Force webpage
wikipedia: Jordanian Air Force
Air-Britain Photos: Jordanian Air Force
Facebook: Royal Jordanian Air Force
Dawsons Field at Zarqa was the destination of the 1970 airline highjackings. Apart from the suggestion that it was named after Air Chief Marshal Sir Walter Dawson (AOC in Levant 1946-48) and that it was an RAF base (there is NO reference to such use) little is known about its origins. Does anyone know more?