SyAAF L-39, Illustrative image, Source: luftwaffeas.blogspot.com
On December 29, a L-39 jet trainer of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) crashed in the northern countryside of Syria’s Aleppo.
The jet fell near the Kuweires Military Aviation Institute, the main training facility of the SyAAF, as a result of a technical failure. The pilot, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Mazen Ismail Ismail, was killed in the crash. He was reportedly one of the institute’s prominent instructors.
The SyAAF operated more than 60 L-39s. Many of these jets were lost to technical failures, or enemy fire in the course of the war. The lightly armed trainers were used to prepare new pilots as well as to provide Syrian troops with close air support across the country.
This was the fourth confirmed loss of the SyAAF this year. On February 15, a MiG-23 fighter jet crashed near Sha’irat Air Base in the eastern countryside of Homs as a result of a technical failure. Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the accident. On September 2, a MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in the outskirts of the town of al-Khalidiyeh in the northern countryside of al-Suwayda, also as a result of a technical failure. The pilot survived with minor wounds after ejecting. Later on September 4, a Mi-8/17 transport helicopter crashed in Hama city after a technical failure, killing its pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer.
Despite having very limited resources, the SyAAF is still very active. Russia has been working closely with the Syrian military to rebuilt the ageing air force.
- Turkey, Syria Agreed To Form ‘Joint Committees,’ Will Meet In Ankara & Damascus – Report
- U.S. Central Command Says It Killed Over 600 ISIS Terrorists In Syria, Iraq During 2022
Given the severe fuel crisis in Syria, it is a miracle the air force can field any aircraft at all.
Send them himars to protect their territorial integrity … oh i forgot here it is not important to protect it but to destroy it silly me …