A win for the good guys?

Looks like the US may have succeeded in spiriting a copy of Russia’s main short range SAM system out of Libya. (h/t to an alert reader of the blog.  Thank you)

Another Russian jet down in Libya?

Maybe.  Story here.

MiG-29s in Libya

Looks like Russia is sending clandestine support to rebels in Libya.  The most interesting part of the story to me is the fact that the MiG-29 is almost completely out of the Russian Air Force inventory.

An interesting story

...from the end of the cold war.  I recall that the Israelis did something similar stealing an entire SA-2 or SA-3 SAM radar unit from the Egyptians back in the 70s.

Libyan F.1

Reports are that a Portuguese pilot flying as a mercenary for rebel forces in Libya has been shot down by Libyan National Army forces.  More as the story develops.

Interesting story

I ran across this on the internet.  I hadn’t heard this particular story before regarding the French operations in Chad.

Libyan rebel MiG-25s

I previously noted that the Libyan rebel group, Libya Dawn was reported to be trying to get ex-LAF MiG-25s flying again to use as bombers against government forces.

Much to my surprise, they apparently got at least one of the two-seat trainer MiG-25s flying.  Unsurprisingly it apparently crashed or was shot down while being used as a bomber.

In this photo, the rebel group has apparently put some sort of insignia on he aircraft.

I will be interested to see what happens next.

MiG-25 news

Apparently Libyan rebels are trying to get some MiG-25s flying again, and apparently using them for ground attack.  Color me amazed if they manage to do it.

Ouch.

Man, this was expensive.  I cannot imagine the insurance fight that is going to take place on this claim. Remind me not to fly to Tripoli.

Devastating, if true

More info on the debacle in Libya.  Bing West is a respected military writer and reporter.  If what he says is true, someone needs to be punished.