Libyan Conflict: Fixed-wing Combat Aircraft make an Appearance

19-Mar, 2011, UN forces strike at Gadhafi air-defences. Events moving so quickly that we'll begin a new posting on no-fly zone enforcement. Suffice it to say Tomahawk cruise missile strikes have been conducted. 17-Mar, 2011 - UN Security Council adopts a resolution to impose a no-fly zone 10-0 with 5 abstentions.

Photo: Chris Lofting

(02-Mar, 2011) LARAF heavy 'fixed-wing combat aircraft are - in fact - operating. Clip (see link) clearly shows and LARAF Su-24MK Fencer-D dropping bombs. The Su-24 is an F-111 / Tornado interdiction/strike class aircraft. Opposition AAA (antiaircraft artillery) can clearly be heard in the clip

BBC video w/sound:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12618367

Regarding video - dropping single bombs in ‘manual mode is not typically the Su-24s method of attack.

(19-Mar 2011) Dramatic images of a MiG-23ML being hit over Benghazi:

From Polish Television

From Reuters

As rebel aircraft begin to operate, we'll need to watch for IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) issues for all combatants.

LARAF losses to date 19-Mar 2011 [ACIG]:

• 17 February, An-26, captured by protesters in Kufra.
• 20 February, Mi-8 or Mi-24, reported as shot down during the uprising in el-Beyda 
• 20 February, Mi-24 "853", destroyed on the ground at Benina AB. 
• 20 February, Mi-24 "854", captured at Benina AB. 
• 20 February, Mi-14 "1406", captured at Benina AB. 
• 21 February, unkown. transport aircraft, claimed as shot down by ground fire while attempting to land at Gamal Abdel Nasser AB, south of Tobruk. 
• 21 February, unknown. helicopter, claimed as shot down by demonstrators. 
• 23 February, A.109, claimed as shot down by local protesters. 
• 23 February, Su-22UM-3K, crashed after pilot activated ejection of the crew (WSO arrested for resisting defection; pilot evacuated to Egypt). 
• 23 February, Su-22M-3K, crashed after pilot activated ejection (pilot evacuated to Egypt). 
• 23 February, Mirage F.1ED "502", flown to Malta by defecting pilot. 
• 23 February, Mirage F.1ED "508", flown to Malta by defecting pilot.
• 23 February?, SF.260 "FA-DME", crushed by T-55 MBT during the fighting for Misurata AB. 
• 27 February, Mi-8 or Mi-24, reportedly shot down by Manpads during attack on local radio station; crew of five captured. 
• 2 March, Su-22M-3K, claimed as shot down during fighting in Mersa el-Brega, more likely only damaged. 
• 3 March, unknown fighter jet, claimed shot down during the fighting in Misurata. 
• 3 March, Mirage F.1ED, claimed as shot down during fighting in Mersa el-Brega. 
• 4 March, Mi-8MT "2119/Air Ambulance", captured in abandoned condition at Ras Lanoof airfield. 
• 5 March, unknown. helicopter, claimed shot down during fighting in Ras Lanoof. 
• 5 March, Mi-8 or Mi-24, shot down by ZPU-4 during fighting in Ras Lanoof. 
• 5 March, Su-24MK "38", shot down by ZPU-4 during fighting west of Ras Lanoof, crew KIA, one was Syrian.
• 6 March, Mi-24, claimed shot down by ZPU-4 during fighting in Bin Jawad area, crew KIA, one of pilots was Syrian 
• 6 March, Su-22, claimed shot down by ZPU-4s during attacks in Ras Lanoof area, pilot reportedly captured, said to be Sudanese 
• 6 March, Su-22, claimed shot down by ZPU-4s during attacks in Ras Lanoof area, pilot reportedly captured, said to be Syrian 
• 7 March, unknown fighter jet, claimed shot down by ZPU-4s during attacks in Ras Lanoof area 
• 16 March, unknown fighter jet, reportedly flown to Benina AB by defecting pilot. 
• 16 March, unknown fighter jet, reportedly flown to Benina AB by defecting pilot. 
• 15 March, MiG-21bis, flown to Benina AB by defecting pilot (Col. Ali Atiyya). 
• 15 March, MiG-21bis, flown to Benina AB by defecting pilot. (Note: one of two MiG-21s was lost while scrambling from Benina AB, on 17 March, fate of pilot unknown). 
• 17 March, Su-22M-3K, shot down over Benina AB, pilot ejected safely and captured; said to be Algerian. 
• 17 March, unknown fighter aircraft, claimed shot down near Solluch, 50km south of Benghazi, fate of pilot unknown.

FLAF 'Free Libyan Air Force' update to date 17-Mar 2011 [ACIG]:

• 15-Mar: 6 combat sorties flown: two vs. warships; two vs Agedabia; two vs. Ghurdabiya AB. 1 MiG-23BN fighter lost: reported suicide attack on Bab Azizia barracks in Tripoli. 
• 16-Mar: 3 combat sorties flown; two by Mi-24s and one by Mi-14, no losses. 
• 17-Mar: 1 MiG-21bis crashed after take-off from Benina AB, pilot apparently KIA.

[Above] Rebel Mi-24 "Hind" gunship underway near Ajdabiya on 16-Mar. (LA Times)

[Above/Below] LARAF Su-22M-3K (NATO: Fitter). Aircraft "311" would be photographed over Ras Lanoof on 10-Mar 2011.

[Below] MiG-23BN Flogger-H Attack-jet. This type may have been involved in attack of regime warships off Agedabia and regime airbase at Syrte on 15-Mar.

[Above] LARAF MiG-23UB two-seat trainer [Below] Ex-Syrian AF aircraft designated MiG-23ML'D' (Export) Fighter "6718" of 1023 Squadron.

LARAF reportedly has only two active MiG-23 units left: No.1023 Squadron with some 10-11 MiG-23MS/UB/MLs at Mitiga AB, and No.1050 Squadron with a (probable) similar number MiG-23MFs at Misurata AB.

[Above] LARAF MiG-21UM. [Below] G-2 light attack jet/trainer.

Be advised that political officers are (were) reportedly attempting some control of LARAF pilots- placed in copilot position during sorties. Also, there are confirmed reports of foreign or "volunteer" pilots in service for LARAF. 

Su-24MK "38", shot down by ZPU-4 during fighting in Ras Lanoof.

[Above]: Su-22M "311" apparently armed with RBK-250 cluster bombs, underway over Ras Lanoof on 10-Mar.

LARAF update (as of 8-Mar 2011):

Mitiga and Ghurdabiya-Syrte are in full ops. Mitiga is the centerpiece and must be very busy right now housing:

• 1012 Squadron with Mirage F.1EDs (or what's left of them). 
• 1022 Squadron with Su-22M-3Ks (except they concentrated all remaining Su-22s in Ghurdabiya). 
• 1023 Squadron with MiG-23.
• 1039 Squadron with L-39s (these appear to be active over Zawiya). 
• 1226 Squadron with An-26. 
• 1230 Squadron with C-130. 
• 1328 Squadron with Mi-8. 
• 1314 Squadron with Mi-14. 
• 1347 Squadron with CH-47C. 
• Police Aviation Squadron with A.109 (supposedly, "only" nine of these are left), also at Mitiga, plus 1236 Squadron (An-26) and 1276 Squadron (Il-76) at Tripoli IAP. 

Ghurdabiya-Syrte:

• 1032 Squadron with Su-22M-3K. 
• 1121 Squadron with J-21s (flown in from Ma'arten as-Sahra?)
• 1124 Squadron with Su-24MKs (between 3 and 5 remaining).
• 1021 Squadron's MiG-21s have been concentrated there too (they are certainly not in Tobruk anymore), but maybe too short-ranged for ops in Ras Lanoof area? 
• 020 Squadron lost the majority of its G-2s and J-21s in Misurata (quite a few were found there); the rest might have been evacuated to Ghurdabiya or elsewhere still under the control of the regime. 
• 1308 Squadron with Mi-8.

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