Libyan aircraft movements (was: LIBYAN MIRAGE F1s AT MALTA)

[evhest]

Imagine standing there just for a quick look, suddenly two Mirages pop up overhead and.....WTF?

[sg Deelen]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi ... pters-land

[Koen L]

The following was stated on Al Jazeera:

- The aircraft took off from Tripoli and flew to Bengasi for refuel and to be armed
- The aircraft took off and were tasked to target protestors
- When the two Colonels piloting the Mirages saw other aircraft firing at protestors they went low level and turned for Malta
- They contacted Maltese ATC, declared low on fuel and landed

Nice detail; apparently people outside the airport are now chanting that these pilots are heroes.

[Koen L]

More pics:

http://www.daylife.com/search/photos/1/ ... ort+libyan

[Malcolm Bezzina]

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/natio ... s-surrende


more above
malc

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/natio ... s-surrende


more above
malc

The link above is already suffering from rather smoking servers...

The video as shown at http://www.maltatoday.com.mt :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=augJ2EF8Wv4[/youtube]

[pjotrtje]

I'd say: start the 2011 Malta Airshow tomorrow, finally they've secured the always hoped for Libyan Airforce presence

[Malcolm Bezzina]

I wished they were Su24s but not bad to see them either.Acc to local news the pilot reported departure point from an airbase near Tunisia (any idea the name pls???) heading to bomb civilians in Benghazi.The 2 fighters jets reported flew 50m above water for obvious reasons!!

[Guinness]

ARCHIEFFOTO
VALLETTA - Twee straaljagers van de Libische luchtmacht zijn maandag onverwacht geland op het vliegveld van de Maltese hoofdstad Valletta. Volgens de lokale krant Times of Malta hebben de piloten asiel aangevraagd, nadat ze hadden geweigerd demonstranten in de stad Benghazi te beschieten.

Eerder op de dag waren al twee burgerhelikopters met in totaal zeven mensen aan boord geland in Valletta. De helikopters zouden geen toestemming hebben gehad om het Libische luchtruim te verlaten en de identiteit van de inzittenden is nog niet bekend, aldus de Times of Malta.Malta ligt ongeveer 400 kilometer ten noorden van Libië, waar al dagen wordt gedemonstreerd tegen leider Muammar Kaddafi.

Nog geen honderd kilometer noordelijker ligt het Italiaanse eiland Sicilië. Vanwege de onrust in Libië geldt op Italiaanse luchtmachtbases voorlopig het hoogste alarmniveau, aldus het Italiaanse persbureau ANSA. Rome zou luchtmachthelikopters en de marine naar het zuiden hebben gestuurd. (ANP)

[ Bekijk origineel.. ]
[Bron: www.ad.nl

[RichieC]

I wished they were Su24s but not bad to see them either.Acc to local news the pilot reported departure point from an airbase near Tunisia (any idea the name pls???) heading to bomb civilians in Benghazi.The 2 fighters jets reported flew 50m above water for obvious reasons!!

Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. ???

[Bennie]

I wished they were Su24s but not bad to see them either.Acc to local news the pilot reported departure point from an airbase near Tunisia (any idea the name pls???) heading to bomb civilians in Benghazi.The 2 fighters jets reported flew 50m above water for obvious reasons!!

Okba Ben Nafi Air Base. ???

It is indeed close to the Tunesian border and within flying distance from Malta, even at 50ft AGL!

[Melchior Timmers]

The two civil heli's that escaped where two Heli Union Puma's, normally based at Tripoli Itl (HLLT). Seems like the company evacuated its personnel and two of its choppers. They used to have a Dauphin based at Tripoli as well.

Cheers,

[Malcolm Bezzina]

yes 2 pumas at malta ......tHAT IS the airbase you mentioned

[Fogg]

I'd say: start the 2011 Malta Airshow tomorrow, finally they've secured the always hoped for Libyan Airforce presence

You don't think spotter jokes are a bit inappropriate tonight?

This news proves that fighter jets, and artillery apparenty, are being used against civilians. So shockingly disgusting.

Malcom, thanks for the information. Greetings.

Peter

[frank kramer]

I can only say: for these pilots. Must have been one tough decision, given the probability that their relatives are still there in Libya.

Furthermore: nice catch, Malcolm! Would have loved to have been by the Malta airport fence at that point in time, too