Lebanese Air Force
The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 revealed that Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Israel possessed a national Air Force while Lebanon lacked this capability. The Armed Forces Commander at that time, General Fouad Shehab recognized this deficiency during the battle in the south and decided early in 1949 to fill the gap. The Rayak Military Airport was a neglected relic of World War I but was reconstructed with the help of the French who also began to train the Lebanese in aviation mechanics.
Since the army had limited Air Force now, their first mission was to help put an end to a group of outlaws seeking refuge in the Hermel Barren Heights in Bekaa. This group had existed for a long period, insubordinate to the authorities even in the times of the Ottomans and French. They were always well armed after each act of violation to laws, retreated to hide in the inaccessible high and distant mountains. On the 20 August 1949, a military operation was launched. When the outlaws realized that the Air Force eliminated their ability to use the mountains as safe haven, they decided to submit and abide by the law and entered in negotiations with the authorities.
The Air Force was regarded as a success and the government began to invest in development of Lebanese pilots and new air bases. With the help of the French and British, the Lebanese Air Force soon had Lebanese pilots at the control of their aircraft. The foreign assistance of the British and French helped slowly modernize the Lebanese Air Force but their operations were concentrated on domestic missions and in conjunction with internal security forces.
Today, the Lebanese Air Force has no real fixed wing capability. The few fighter aircraft they possess are old and outdated planes that have no combat value. Instead the Air Force has invested in helicopters with limited firepower and survivability. These aircraft are also bound to fair weather conditions because of their limited capability. Their continued operations are still heavily concentrated on domestic operations, primarily narcotics trafficking and other criminal violations.
Lebanon received much of its modern equipment at a discount from the United States and continues to purchase new systems from the U.S. as well. France also represents a large portion of Lebanon’s imports. In 2000, there were only apprximately 800 active personnel in the Air Force.
