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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2012}}
Hello! My name is Omer. <br>It is a little about myself: I live in Australia, my city of Morisset. <br>It's called often Northern or cultural capital of NSW. I've married 4 years ago.<br>I have two children - a son (Venus) and the daughter (Maybelle). We all like Baking.<br><br>my website ... [http://www.womansearch.co.uk/arj19 fillpress.com]
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Syrian Arab Air Force<br>القوات الجوية العربية السورية
|image=<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Syriaaflogo.png|Syrian Air Force logo, provided by Scramble.nl]] -->
|caption=
|start_date= 1948
|country= {{SYR}}
|allegiance=
|branch= [[Air Force]]
|type= [[Military aviation]]
|role= [[Aerial warfare]]
|size= 60,000 (including 20,000 reserve)
|command_structure= [[Military of Syria|Syrian Armed Forces]]
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|nickname= SyAAF
|current_commander= General Issam Hallaq<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:196:0081:01:EN:HTML |title=Eur-Lex - - En |publisher=Eur-lex.europa.eu |date= |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
|current_commander_label= Chief of Air Staff
|patron=
|motto=
|march= [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH7fkuPQb1M We are the Eagles]
|mascot=
|battles= [[Six-Day War]]<br>[[Yom Kippur War]]<br>[[1982 Lebanon War]]<br>[[Syrian civil war]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
<!-- Industrial -->
|domestic_suppliers=
|foreign_suppliers={{RUS}}<br/>{{flag|China}}
|imports=
|exports=
<!-- Commanders -->
|current_commander= General Issam Hallaq<ref name=EUR-LEX>{{cite web|title=Council Implementing Decision 2012/424/CFSP of 23 July 2012 implementing Decision 2011/782/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Syria|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:196:0081:01:EN:HTML|publisher=[[Official Journal of the European Union]]|date=24 July 2012}}</ref>
|current_commander_label= Chief of Air Staff
|ceremonial_chief=
|ceremonial_chief_label=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol= [[Image:Roundel of the Syrian Air Force.svg|70px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Roundel
|identification_symbol_2= [[Image:Syrian Air Force Flag.svg|150px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label= Air Force Ensign
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack= [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]]<br>[[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24]]<br>[[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22]]<br>[[Mil Mi-24|Mi-25]]<br>[[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelle]]
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic= [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]]
|aircraft_fighter= [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]]<br>[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]]<br>[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]]
|aircraft_interceptor= [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25|MiG-25]]
|aircraft_recon= [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25|MiG-25]]<br>[[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]]
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_trainer=[[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39]]<br>[[MBB 223 Flamingo|MBB 223]]<br>[[MFI-17 Mushshak|MFI-17]]
|aircraft_transport=[[Antonov An-26|An-26]]<br>[[Antonov An-24|An-24]]<br>[[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76]]<br>[[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17]]<br>[[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]]
}}
The '''Syrian Air Force''' ({{lang-ar|القوات الجوية العربية السورية}}, ''Al Quwwat al-Jawwiyah al Arabiya as-Souriya'') is the [[Air Force|Aviation]] branch of the [[Military of Syria|Syrian Armed Forces]]. It was established in 1948. Land based air defense systems are grouped under the [[Syrian Air Defense Force]], which split from both the Air Force and the Army.
 
==History==
{{See also|Military history of Syria}}
 
[[File:Harvard AT-6 Syrian Air Force.jpg|thumb|left|[[North American T-6 Texan|AT-6 Harvard]] of the Syrian Air Force]]
The end of [[World War II]] led to a withdrawal of the United Kingdom and France from the [[Middle East]], and this included a withdrawal from [[Syria]]. In 1948, the Syrian Air Force was officially established after the first class of pilots graduated from flight schools in the United Kingdom. The embryonic force saw limited participation in the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]], conducting bombing raids against Israeli forces and settlements. One [[North American Harvard]] was lost to ground fire while attacking [[Ayelet Hashahar]] on 16 July, and another possibly shot down by Morris Mann (flying an [[Avia S-199]]) on 10 June. The Syrian Air Force claimed its sole kill of the war on 10 July when a Harvard supposedly shot down an Avia S-199 flown by Lionel Bloch.
 
[[File:Hafezalassad.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hafez al-Assad]] (above) standing on the wing of a [[Fiat G.46|Fiat G.46-4B]] with fellow cadets at the Syrian AF Academy outside [[Aleppo]].]]
 
Military governments formed after the war sought to bolster the air force, which began equipping with [[Fiat G.59]]s, ex-Egyptian [[Macchi C.205]]s and [[Supermarine Spitfire (Griffon-powered variants)|Supermarine Spitfire Mk 22s]]. In September 1952 the SAF received its first jet aircraft, the [[Gloster Meteor]] F.8. Additional Meteors, including the NF.13 night fighting variant, were delivered by the mid-1950s.<ref name="phoenix">{{Cite book|last1=Nordeen|first1=Lon|last2=Nicolle|first2=David|title=Phoenix Over The Nile|year=1996|publisher=Smithonian Instituition Press|isbn=978-1-56098-626-3|pages=345–347}}</ref>
 
The 1950s also saw Syria and [[Egypt]] attempt to unify as the [[United Arab Republic]], and this was reflected in the Syrian Air Force with growth in personnel and aircraft. The union did not last. With the ascent to power of the Baath Party and [[Hafez Al-Assad]], himself a former SAF Commander-in-chief, Syria began looking to the members of the [[Warsaw Pact]] for help and built closer ties with the USSR. This in turn led to a huge influx of Eastern-made equipment to the Syrian Armed Forces, including the Air Force.
 
[[File:Sirian Mig-17.jpg|thumb|left|One of two [[MiG-17]]s of the Syrian Air Force that landed by error at [[Betzet]] airstrip, Israel on August 12, 1968.]]
 
In 1955 Syria placed an order for 25 [[MiG-15]]s, including several MiG-UTI conversion trainers. These were shipped to [[Alexandria]] and assembled at the Egyptian air base at [[Almazah]], where Syrian pilots and technicians were trained to operate the aircraft. The fighters were at Almazah when the [[Suez Crisis]] broke out and several were destroyed on the ground by British and French air strikes. On 6 November 1956, a Syrian Meteor shot down an [[Royal Air Force]] [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra PR.7]] monitoring activity at SAF bases.<ref name="phoenix" /> One Meteor was lost after another attempted intercept, the pilot and future president of Syria, Hafez al-Assad, crashing his aircraft while attempting to land in the dark.<ref name="phoenix" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_258.shtml|title=Canberra Down!|accessdate=24 July 2010|publisher=ACIG.org|last=Nicolle|first=David|date=24 September 2003}}</ref>
 
Sixty [[MiG-17]]s were ordered at the end of 1956 and Syrian pilots were dispatched to the [[USSR]] and Poland for training. The first aircraft arrived in January 1957 and by the end of the year two MiG-17 squadrons were defending the capital from their base at Damasucus' [[Mezzeh Military Airport]].<ref name="phoenix" />
 
In the [[Six-Day War]], the Syrian Air Force lost two-thirds of its forces with the rest retreating to bases in remote parts of Syria. This in turn helped the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] in defeating the Syrian Army on the ground and led to the occupation of the [[Golan Heights]].
 
The [[Yom Kippur War]] provided initial success for both Syria and Egypt, though again Israel inflicted more casualties in the air than it endured.
 
[[File:Hatzerim 290110 Gazelle.jpg|thumb|SAF [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelle]] captured by Israel in 1982. Behind stands a [[MiG-23]] whose pilot defected in 1989]]
 
During the [[1982 Lebanon War]], the Syrian Air Force fought the [[Israeli Air Force]] in the one among the largest air-to-air combat of the jet age, involving approximately 150 aircraft from both sides. In six days (6–11 June 1982) of intense aerial combat, Syrian and Russian sources admit the loss of 24 [[MiG-23]]s (6MF, 4MS and 14BN), while shooting down no Israeli aircraft. Russian and Syrian sources continue to claim a modicum of success against Israeli aircraft in this conflict, but have been unable to provide any justification for their claims. Israel claims the destruction of 85 Syrian MiGs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Krauthammer|first=Charles|title=Israel's Lost Moment|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/08/israels_lost_moment.html|work=RealClearPolitics|accessdate=1 June 2012|date=4 August 2006}}</ref> However, at low altitude the Syrian Air Force effectively used [[Aerospatiale Gazelle]] helicopters in anti-armour role against advancing Israeli ground forces. In one such engagement, an Israeli tank column was stopped for some hours by SAF Gazelle missile strikes while approaching Ein Zehalta.<ref>Schif, Ze'ev & Ya'ari, Ehud ''Israel's Lebanon War'' London Counterpoint 1986 pp160-1 ISBN 0-04-327091-3</ref>
 
Since the Lebanon War, the Syrian Air Force has attempted to procure Russian-made aircraft, but the full extent of this refurbishment is not known, nor are the exact numbers of planes or what types of aircraft are being supplied to the Air Force. This uncertainty is due to the degree of secrecy maintained by the Syrian government with regard to its military. It is known, however, that the Syrians have procured [[MiG-29]]s and [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24]]s, which should give its Air Force a major improvement, although a rumour regarding the purchase of [[Su-27]]s that circulated in the 2010s has proven to be unfounded. In 2008 the Syrian Air Force was reportedly taking deliveries of 8 examples of the [[MiG-31]]E from Russia, as well as the MiG-29SMT and [[Yak-130]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/09/29/Russia_defends_arms_sales_to_Syria/UPI-28611222726785/ |title=Russia defends arms sales to Syria |accessdate=24 July 2010 |publisher=UPI |date=29 September 2008}}</ref> although delivery of the MiG-31s may have been cancelled by Russia due to pressure from Western governments.
 
==Operations during the Syrian civil war==
During the initial phase of the [[Syrian civil war]], up to mid-2012, the Syrian Air Force was involved in secondary roles, with no firing from aircraft and helicopters.
 
The situation changed on March 22, 2012, with an escalation in the use of airpower by loyalist forces,<ref name="autogenerated1">http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria0413webwcover_1.pdf</ref> starting with armed Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter gunships firing rockets and machine guns.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mar 22 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/03/22/syrian-attacking-rebels/ |title=First video of a Syrian helicopter gunship attacking rebels near Azaz, northwest of Aleppo |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-03-22 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
The airwar escalated further in mid June 2012, with the use of Mi-24/25 attack helicopters capable of dropping 250&nbsp;kg aerial bombs,<ref>{{cite web|author=Jun 12 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/06/12/mi-24-syria/ |title=Syrian air war escalates: the Mil Mi-24 Hind gunship makes its debut against rebel forces |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-06-12 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Jul 18 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/18/fab-250-homs/ |title=New videos show Syrian gunship helicopters dropping bombs on Homs and Damascus |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-07-18 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref> while the transport helicopters started dropping barrel bombs, essentially aerial [[Improvised explosive device|IEDs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/syrias-deadly-barrel-bombs-20120901-2573t.html |title=Syria's deadly barrel bombs |publisher=Smh.com.au |date=2012-09-02 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
 
On July 24, 2012, the first attack sorties by fixed wing aircraft were reported by the rebels and recorded on video: initially L-39 [[Counter-insurgency aircraft|COIN]] armed trainers began using rockets, bombs and gun pods,<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=Jul 30 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/30/l39-video/ |title=Syrian Arab Air Force trainer jets turned into attack planes to strike rebel positions |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-07-30 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref> but they were quickly joined by MiG-21s and MiG-23s.<ref>{{cite web|author=July 24, 2012 |url=http://air.blastmagazine.com/analysis-syrian-jets-bomb-aleppo-during-bloody-battle-for-city/ |title=Which figher jets did the Syrian government use to bomb its largest city, Aleppo? — Air Cache |publisher=Air.blastmagazine.com |date=2012-07-24 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Babak Dehghanpisheh |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-aircraft-bomb-aleppo-as-rebels-fight-for-city/2012/07/24/gJQApanF7W_story.html |title=Syrian aircraft bomb Aleppo as rebels fight for city |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2013-07-29 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
It took some other weeks before more advanced Su-22 dedicated strike aircraft joined the fight.
In November 2012, the first Su-24 medium bombers were filmed dropping their heavy payload on the rebels.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nov 16 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/11/16/fencer-syria/ |title=Assad deploys Syrian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack planes to hit rebels hard |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-11-16 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
In December 2012, conventionally armed [[Scud]] missiles and other similar ballistic missiles were fired against rebel positions.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/world/middleeast/syria-war-developments-assad.html?_r=0</ref>
 
Insurgents counter the Syrian Air Force mainly using truck mounted, medium and heavy machine guns, dedicated antiaircraft cannons, [[small arms]] fire and starting in late 2012, [[Man-portable air-defense systems|MANPADS]] up to modern Russian and Chinese designs.<ref>{{cite web|author=Location Settings |url=http://www.news24.com/World/News/Syrian-rebels-down-aircraft-20121202 |title=Syrian rebels down aircraft |publisher=News24 |date=2012-12-02 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
 
In the same timeframe of the escalation in the use of the Syrian Air Force by the government, the insurgents increased the number of anti-aircraft equipment, overtaking different air defense sites and warehouses while receiving shipments of Chinese and Russian sourced material from external sponsors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article47635 |title=Sudan becomes the newest player in Syria's protracted conflict: NYT - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan |publisher=Sudan Tribune |date= |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref> An overall improvement in accuracy was observed as well. This led to several Syrian Air Force jets and helicopters being shot down starting from August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaphle |first=Anup |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/syrian-fighter-jet-crashes-rebels-claim-they-shot-it-down/2012/08/13/104b98ac-e555-11e1-936a-b801f1abab19_blog.html |title=Syrian fighter jet crashes; rebels claim they shot it down - WorldViews |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2012-08-13 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref> Since insurgents besieged many airports, a high number of downed aircraft was recorded during take-off or landing. Also, many land raids and shelling of airbases led to an increasing number of aircraft and helicopters being damaged or destroyed on the ground.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom A. Peter |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/1126/Syrian-rebels-struggle-to-keep-regime-Air-Force-on-the-ground-video |title=Syrian rebels struggle to keep regime Air Force on the ground (+video) |publisher=CSMonitor.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
 
In spite of occasional shoot-downs, however, the Syrian Air Force remained largely unchallenged with a good overall combat efficiency and a superior fear factor recognized by the rebels themselves.<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Chulov in Aleppo |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/04/syrian-rebel-raids-military-strongholds?CMP=twt_gu |title=Syrian rebel raids expose secrets of once-feared military &#124; World news |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>
 
While increasing proficiency in the use of short range air defense systems, the rebels were not able to make any other bigger air defense system work, despite their ranks being composed of many defected soldiers. Captured Shilka [[Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|SPAAG]] were used in ground support, but they were seldom filmed in their air defense role, while there is no confirmed record of use of any captured missile based defense system apart from visual [[Man-portable air-defense systems|MANPADS]]: in summer 2013, rebels claimed they started using at least one of the captured [[9K33 Osa]] antiaircraft missile vehicles, showing blurry videos presumed to come from inside the vehicle while firing at regime helicopters.
 
Compared to modern Western air forces fighting against similarly armed enemies, like in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Syrian Air Force's main disadvantage is the low to nil number in precision guided weapons which allow the aircraft to stay out of range of [[small arms]] fire, [[Anti-aircraft warfare|AAA]] and [[Man-portable air-defense systems|MANPADS]], while delivering an effective strike with minimal collateral damage. The same weakness prevents them from being able to hit multiple targets of opportunity in the same mission.
Syrian pilots are forced to spend most of their flying time time at low to medium altitudes where battlefield threats are more potent.
Based on the aircraft type, Syrian pilots use different attack techniques to deliver their unguided munitions: while L-39s use dive attack tactics, all the other types involved are generally performing a low to medium altitude bombing run at high speed deploying a sequence of flare thermal decoys to defend against IR homing missiles and pulling up after ordnance delivery.<ref>{{cite web|author=Oct 22 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/10/22/su22/ |title=Video of Su-22 releasing flares during attack shows Syrian pilots are becoming concerned of surface to air missiles |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-10-22 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
Instead helicopters are seen flying at unusually high altitudes which minimizes their tactical effect and increases collateral damage. Mi-24/25 gunships were observed delivering decoy flares as well.<ref>{{cite web|author=Aug 17 2012 |url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/08/17/gunship-releasing-flares/ |title=Video shows Syrian Mil Mi-25 gunship releasing flares. A sign that rebels got their hands on MANPADS? |publisher=The Aviationist |date=2012-08-17 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
 
Since the Syrian Air Force frequently attacks opposition fighters with helicopter gunships<ref>{{Cite news|last2=Willis|first2=Amy|last1=Bloomfield|first1=Adrian|title=Syria: helicopter gunships fire on villagers in fresh massacre|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9396764/Syria-helicopter-gunships-fire-on-villagers-in-fresh-massacre.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher= [[Telegraph Media Group]]|date=12 July 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.montrealgazette.com/mobile/news/world-news/Syria+troops+rebels+battle+control+territory/6774902/story.html ]{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref> and warplanes<ref>{{cite web|author=Linux Beach |url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/30/1104749/-BREAKING-Syrian-Air-Force-attacks-Douma-10m-from-Damascus-thousands-flee |title=BREAKING: Syrian Air Force attacks Douma, 10m from Damascus, thousands flee |publisher=Daily Kos |date=2012-06-30 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Syrian forces push into Douma, residents flee|url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/syrian-forces-push-into-douma-residents-flee/|publisher=Trust.org|date=30 June 2012|agency=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOzmjsA5fw4 |title=Syria\ Shelling Douma by Al-Assad Military Planes. Saturday, June 30, 2012 |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-06-30 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref> aiming at populated areas with unguided weaponry, the bombings normally cause [[collateral damage]] to the civilian population and infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t1#/video/bestoftv/2012/08/15/pkg-wedeman-aleppo-hospital.cnn |title=Syrian regime attacks hospital|date=15 August 2012 |work=CNN |accessdate=15 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/08/2012815173313836461.html |title=Syrian warplanes hammer rebel border town|date=15 August 2012 |work=Al Jazeera |accessdate=15 August 2012}}</ref>
 
In July 2012 at the Farnborough Air Show it was announced that Russia would not deliver any new aircraft including the MiG-29M/M2s and Yak-130s while there was still a crisis in Syria, but it would still respect any previous refurbishment and maintenance contracts such as the Mi-25s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.menewsline.com/article-1173,3570-Russia-Blocks-MiG-31-Deal-With-Sy.aspx|title=Russia Blocks MiG-31 Deal With Syria|accessdate=24 July 2010|publisher=Middle East Newsline|date=21 May 2009}}</ref>
 
With the start of aerial operations by the Syrian Air Force, in August 2012, intelligence experts assessed that the Syrian Air Force was suffering significant technical difficulties, resulting in less than half of the air force's best counterinsurgency aircraft such as the Mi-25 Hind-D being available at any given time. An increased number of conflict fronts and severe maintenance burdens dramatically worsened the situation which was probably critical already before the beginning of the civil war. These problems were thought by experts to account for initial start in the use of L-39ZA (attack variant) jets in a combat role by the government,<ref>{{cite news|first=C.J.|last=Chivers|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/world/middleeast/as-conflict-continues-in-syria-assads-arms-face-strain.html|title=Syrian Leader’s Weapons Under Strain|accessdate=2 August 2012 |publisher=New York Times|date=2 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=August 9, 2012 |url=http://air.blastmagazine.com/syria-not-using-migs-to-attack-rebels-jet-seen-attacking-aleppo-is-a-czech-made-trainer/ |title=Syrian government using L-39 trainer jets to attack rebels — Air Cache |publisher=Air.blastmagazine.com |date=2012-08-09 |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref> before further escalations.
 
===Aircraft losses during the Syrian Civil War===
According to the Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC) since the conflict began the Syrian military lost 37 helicopters and 24 jets. 40 aircraft were shot down, and 21 were destroyed in opposition attacks on military airports.<ref>http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/CONFLICTS/SYRIA_2011_2012/Syrian_Conflict.htm</ref> According to Strategy Page, nearly a hundred fixed wing and over a hundred helicopters have been lost. Some 400 aircrew was killed, captured, or missing.<ref>http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20130618.aspx</ref> Public observation via Google Earth of Syrian airfields during the conflict indicates a steady attrition of Syrian Air Force capability.
 
*The first loss of a fixed wing aircraft was recorded on 13 August 2012 when a MiG-23 was filmed catching fire in flight, while automatic gunfire was heard on the background while the fighter aircraft was flying at low altitude in a level flight. The pilot ejected, and was captured and interrogated by the rebels on video.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spencer |first=Richard |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9473343/Syrian-rebels-claim-to-have-shot-down-Bashar-al-Assad-MiG-fighter-jet.html |title=Syrian rebels claim to have shot down Bashar al-Assad MiG fighter jet |publisher=Telegraph |date= |accessdate=2013-08-09}}</ref>
 
*The first loss of a MiG-21 was recorded on 30 August 2012. The serial number was 2271. It was likely downed on take off or landing at Abu Dhuhur air base, under siege by rebels, by heavy machine gun fire.<ref>http://theboresight.blogspot.fr/?view=classic</ref>
 
*A few days later a second MiG-21, serial number 2280, was shot down and recorded on video on 4 September 2012. It was likely downed on take off or landing at Abu Dhuhur air base, under siege by rebels, by [[KPV]] 14.5&nbsp;mm machine gun fire.<ref>http://brown-moses.blogspot.it/2012/09/mig-21-shot-down-in-idlib.html</ref>
 
*The first recorded loss of an L-39, reported in some media outlets as a MiG, occurred on 13 October 2012, with the pilot ejecting and evading capture before being caught. [[Al Jazeera]] managed to interview the pilot.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjgORZWgMi8 YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/13/syria-rebels-down-fighter-jet-near-aleppo-watchdog/ Syria rebels down fighter jet near Aleppo: watchdog | The Raw Story<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtPYReDoI64 Captured Syrian pilot says he did not know he was bombing civilians - YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 
*On 17 October 2012, a Mi-8 helicopter was shot down over Damascus, dramatically exploding in midair. It was likely hit by heavy machine gun fire with some of its improvised aerial barrier bombs exploding.<ref>http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/downed-aircraft/syrian-army-helicopter-explodes-midair/1907357644001/</ref>
 
*The first confirmed loss of a [[Sukhoi Su-17|Sukhoi Su-22]] was recorded on 14 February 2013, when rebel forces shot it down using a MANPADS launcher.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1254330/1/.html Channel NewsAsia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WXxAk6i1qLU YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 
*One [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopter was lost in an air-to-air accident when it hit the tail of a Syrian passenger plane on 28 February 2013, with the airliner landing safely at Damascus airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-circumstances-of-syrian-a320-collision-remain-hazy-377309/ |title=PICTURES: Circumstances of Syrian A320 collision remain hazy |publisher=Flightglobal.com |date=2012-10-04 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref><ref>http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/09/20/239107.html</ref>
 
*Another Mil Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by the [[Turkish Air Force]] on 16 September 2013.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/world/europe/turkey-syria.html?_r=0</ref>
 
==Organization==
{{Main|Squadrons of the Syrian Arab Air Force}}
The Air Force command consists of:<ref name=global>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce.htm|title=Syrian Arab Air Force|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
*7 Attack squadrons
*20 Interceptor/FGA/Reconnaissance squadrons
*4 Transport squadrons
*1 Electronic Warfare squadron
*7 Transport/Attack Helicopter squadrons
*5 Attack Helicopter squadrons
*1 VIP Helicopter squadron
*1 Training Group.
 
===Air bases===
{{Main|List of Syrian Air Force bases}}
 
Led by jihadist fighters from the [[Al-Nusra Front]] and an [[Ahrar al-Sham]] battalion, Syrian rebels overran [[Taftanaz Air Base]] during the second week in January, 2013.<ref name="BBC110113">{{cite news|title=Rebels 'take control of key north Syria airbase'|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20984142|accessdate=11 January 2013|newspaper=BBC|date=11 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=NYT011113>{{cite news|title=Syrian Rebels Say They Seized Helicopter Base in the North|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/world/middleeast/syria-war-developments.html|accessdate=January 12, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 11, 2013|author=Anne Barnard}}</ref>
 
==Markings==
[[File:Roundel of the Syrian Air Force.svg|75px|right]]
The roundel used by the Syrian Air Force has the same basic design as that used by the [[Egyptian Air Force]]. It consists of three concentric circles, with a red outer, white middle and black inner. The unique part of the Syrian roundels is the presence of two green stars in the white circle, which is reflective of the two stars on the [[Flag of Syria|national flag]]. The fin flash is also an image of the flag.
 
Due to the high security level on everything military the past and the present of the Syrian Arab Air Force is still largely unknown. This makes it hard to judge the real strength of the air force today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scramble.nl/sy.htm|title=Syrian Air Force - Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al Arabiya as-Souriya|publisher=Scramble, Dutch Aviation Society|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref> Additionally, considerable losses to the [[Syrian opposition|opposition]] forces in the country's ongoing civil war are not accounted for here. The following information is compiled from multiple pre 2012 Syrian civil war sources.
 
According with the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] in 2011 the Aircraft Inventory from the Syrian Arab Air Force estimations were:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://csis.org/files/publication/100629_Arab-IsraeliMilBal.pdf|title= THE ARAB ISRAELI MILITARY BALANCE|publisher= Center for Strategic and International Studies| date= June 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://csis.org/files/publication/111213_SyriaMilitaryIntervention.pdf|title= INSTABILITY IN SYRIA: Assessing the Risks of Military Intervention|publisher= Center for Strategic and International Studies| date= December 13, 2011}}</ref>
* '''569''' fixed wing aircraft:
** Combat/reconnaissance/OCU aircraft: 467
** Training aircraft: 76
** Transport aircraft: 26
* '''191''' rotary wing aircraft:
** Attack helicopter: 71
** Armed transport/utility helicopter: 120
 
'''Syria - Air Force Equipment by the end 2013.''' '''Totals in this table do not necessary accurately reflect combat attrition sustained during the ongoing civil war.'''<ref name=globaleq/>
 
{|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="10" | '''[[Fighter (aircraft)|Combat aircraft]]'''
|-
{| class="wikitable"|}
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|In service<br>(Global Security)<ref name=globaleq>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/airforce-equipment.htm |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|title=Syria - Air Force Equipment|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Image
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Multirole combat aircraft|MRCA]] <hr> MRCA <hr> MRCA
| B <hr> [[Mikoyan MiG-29M#Variants|M/M2]] <hr> [[Mikoyan MiG-29#Variants|UB]]
| 40+ <ref name=globaleq/> <hr> 0<ref name=globaleq/> <hr> 6<ref name=globaleq/>
| On the 31st of May 2013 was announced contract to supply at least 10 MiG 29 [[Mikoyan MiG-29M|M/M2]]'s had been signed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/russia-sell-least-10-mig-fighters-syria-082620685.html|title=Russia to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria= May 31, 2013 10:12 AM}}</ref>
|[[File:Mig 29 firing AA-10.JPG|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25|MiG-25]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Interceptor aircraft|Interceptor]] <hr> [[Reconnaissance aircraft|Reconnaissance]]
| PD <hr> RB
|<math>\Big\}</math>38<ref name=globaleq/><ref name=WAF2014>http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2014-108161.aspx</ref>
|8 Reconnaissance<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[Image:Mig-25.jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mikoyan MiG-23|MiG-23]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]] <hr> [[Ground-attack aircraft|Ground attack]] <hr> OCU
| MS/MF/ML/MLD <hr> BN <hr> UM
|<math>\Bigg\}</math>136<ref name=globaleq/><ref name=WAF2014 />
|80 MLD - 50 BN - 6 UM<ref name=globaleq/>
| [[File:MIG-23MLD in IAFM.JPG|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]]
| {{USSR}}
| Fighter <hr> OCU <hr> Reconnaissance
| MF/Bis <hr> U/UM <hr> R
|<math>\Bigg\}</math> 160<ref name=globaleq/><ref name=WAF2014 />
|40 Reconnaissance - 15 Used as Trained - 105 Capable for ground attacks <ref name=globaleq/>
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Sukhoi Su-24|Su-24]]
| {{USSR}}
| Ground attack
| MK2
| 20<ref name=globaleq/>
|Probability one lost in November 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2013/11/syria-and-her-recently-upgraded-su-24s.html|title=Syria and her recently upgraded Su-24's (1) |publisher= Oryx Blog| date= Thursday, 28 November 2013}}</ref>
|[[File:Russian Navy aircraft during exercise.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Sukhoi Su-22|Su-22]]
| {{USSR}}
| Ground attack
| M-2/M-3/M-4 <br>
| 50<ref name=globaleq/><ref name=WAF2014 />
|
|[[File:Krzesiny 49RB.JPG|100px|center]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="10" | '''[[Trainer aircraft]]'''
|-
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|In service<br>(Global Security)<ref name=globaleq/>
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Image
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Aero L-39|L-39 Albatros]]
| {{CZS}}
| [[Trainer (aircraft)|Jet trainer]]
| ZO/ZA
| 40
|Some capable for ground attacks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2012/07/30/l39-video/|title= Syrian Arab Air Force trainer jets turned into attack planes to strike rebel positions|publisher= The Aviationist  | date= Jul 30 2012}}</ref>
|[[Image:Bret Cox L-39 - Reno Race -58 .jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[MBB 223 Flamingo]]
| {{flagicon|Germany}} [[West Germany]]
| [[Trainer (aircraft)|Primary trainer]]
| A-1
| 35
|
|[[Image:SIAT 223 Flamingo D-ECRO Le Bourget 06.67.jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[MFI-17 Mushshak]]
| {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]]
| Primary trainer
|
| 6
|
|[[Image:WaltonAirshowLahore1178.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="10" | '''[[Military transport aircraft|Transport aircraft]]'''
|-
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|In service<br>(Global Security)<ref name=globaleq/>
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Image
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Antonov An-24|An-24]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
| 1
|
|[[File:Antonow an-24.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Antonov An-26|An-26]]
| {{USSR}}
| Transport
|
| 6<ref name=globaleq/><ref name=WAF2014 />
|
|[[Image:An-26-slovak-3208.jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76]]
| {{USSR}}
| Transport
| M
| 4<ref name=globaleq/>
|Civilian Registration<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[File:004-Il-76TD-Candid-2007.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Dassault Falcon 20]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| [[Very Important Person|VIP]] transport
|
| 2
|Civilian Registration<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[Image:Dassault Falcon (Mystere) 20F-5 (PH-BPS).jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Dassault Falcon 900]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| VIP transport
|
| 1
|Civilian Registration<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[Image:Gazpromavia Falcon 900 Ilyin.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Tupolev Tu-134|Tu-134]]
| {{USSR}}
| VIP transport
|
| 4
|Civilian Registration<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[File:MAGAS Kosmos Tupolev Tu-134 Misko.jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Yakovlev Yak-40|Yak-40]]
| {{USSR}}
| VIP transport
| V
| 6
|Civilian Registration<ref name=globaleq/>
|[[Image:PL Jak 40.JPG|100px|center]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="10" | '''[[Attack helicopter]]'''
|-
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|In service<br>(Global Security)<ref name=globaleq/>
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Image
|-
| [[Mil Mi-24]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Attack helicopter]]
| D
| 33
|
|[[File:Afghan Air Corps Mi-35 helicopters.jpg|100px|center]]
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|SA-342 Gazelle]]
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| Attack helicopter
| L/M
| 30
|
| [[File:Hatzerim 290110 Gazelle.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
| [[Mil Mi-2]]
| {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]]
| Attack helicopter
|
| 20
|
|[[File:Mi-2URP-G 0a.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="10" | '''[[Military helicopter#Transport helicopters|Transport helicopter]]'''
|-
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Version
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|In service<br>(Global Security)<ref name=globaleq/>
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Comments
! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Image
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| [[Mil Mi-8]] <br> [[Mil Mi-17]]
| {{USSR}}
| [[Military helicopter#Transport helicopters|Transport helicopter]]
| F <hr> H
| 80
|
|[[File:Two Iraqi Mil Mi-17-V5 Hip Helicopters.jpg|100px|center]]
|}
 
===Retired Aircraft===
* [[Ilyushin Il-28]] - 6 bomber retired 1980s
* [[T-6 Texan]] - trainer
* [[Gloster Meteor]] - 25 fighter retired 1957
* [[L-29]] - jet trainer
* [[MiG-15]] - fighter
* [[MiG-17]] - fighter
* [[MiG-19]] - fighter
* [[Sukhoi Su-7]] - 60 fighter/bomber acquired 2nd hand and retired 1990s
 
==Commanders==
The following have served as Commander of the Air Force:
*''list incomplete
*(~1950) [[Colonel]] [[Muhammad Naser]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alazmenah.com/?page=show_det&category_id=14&id=37963 |title=اغتيال العقيد محمد ناصر..تفاصيل – خفايا – آراء(2-4) |publisher=Alazmenah.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>
*(1950s) [[General]] [[Wadih al-Muqabari]]<ref>[http://www.syrianhistory.com/view-photo/119/Commander+of+the+Syrian+Air+Force,+General+Wadih+al-Muqabari+in+the+1950s/1955-1958 Commander of the Syrian Air Force, General Wadih al Muqabari in the 1950s]. Syrian History. Retrieved on 1 June 2012.</ref>
*''list incomplete
*(~1960s) [[Colonel]] [[Muaffaq Assasah]]
*''list incomplete
*(1964–1971) [[Lieutenant General]] [[Hafez al-Assad]]
*(1971–1978) [[Major General]] [[Naji Jamil]]<ref>[http://www.moqatel.com/openshare/Behoth/Siasia21/HarbLebnan/sec192.htm Al Moqatel - الحرب الأهلية اللبنانية<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*(1978-?) Subhi Haddad<ref name=Batatu>Batatu, 1999, p. 226.</ref>
*(–1994) Ali Malahafji<ref name=Batatu/>
*(1994–1999) [[Major General]] [[Muhammad al-Khuli]]
*(2000–2006) [[Major General]] [[Yusef Othman Ahmad|Yusef Othman ALAhmad]]
*''list incomplete
*(2010) [[Major General]] [[Ahmad al-Ratyb]]<ref>http://www.inss.org.il/upload/(FILE)1287493352.pdf</ref>
*(2010 – present) [[Major General]] Ali Mahmoud
 
==Ranks==
 
'''Senior Officers'''
* [[General]]
* [[Lieutenant General]]
* [[Major General]]
* [[Colonel]]
 
==See also==
{{Commons category|Air force of Syria}}
 
* [[Air Force Intelligence Directorate]]
 
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
 
== Further reading ==
*{{Cite journal|last=Dijkshoorn|first=Marco|title=Syria's Secret Air Arm|journal=Combat Aircraft magazine|date=September 2010|volume=11|issue=9|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing}}
 
==External links==
* [http://nosint.blogspot.com/2007/06/migs-will-defend-syria-and-iran.html Russia implementing contract signed with Syria for the delivery of 5 MiG-31E fighter-interceptors]
 
* {{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_437.shtml|publisher=ACIG.org|accessdate=13 May 2011|first=Tom|last=Cooper|date=30 September 2003|title=Israeli-Syrian Shadow Boxing}}
 
{{Syrian security forces}}
{{Syria topics}}
{{Aviation lists}}
 
|}|}|}|}|}
 
[[Category:Syrian Air Force| *]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1948]]
[[Category:Air forces by country|Syria]]
 
{{Link GA|ar}}

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