Morocco

Gallery - Morocco

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50 years Moroccan Air Force

al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya Marakishiya (AF)

The Royal Moroccan Air Force or al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya was founded on 14 May 1956 when it still was called Sherifan Royal Aviation. In 2006 the Moroccan Air Force exists 50 years and to celebrate it holds several Open Days during the year. Earlier Open Days this year were held at Rabat-Salé (22/23 February) and Marrakech (11 February). In March, Base Aerienne 2 Meknes opened its gates to the public. The Open Days were held from 11 to 14 March and consisted of a static display of every type used within the Moroccan Air Force and para drops.

Moroccan Air Force structure

The Moroccan Air Force consists of four commands. The training command uses ten AS202 for initial training on Marrakech. Further training is done on the T-34C. After graduating, fighter pilots are trained on the Alpha Jet H at Meknes, Transport pilots on the King Air at Kénitra and Helicopter pilots on the B205, B206 and SA342, all based at Rabat-Salé.

The Transport Command is based at Kénitra in the north and uses seventeen (K)C-130H for transport and air-to-air refuelling. Seven CN235 are also used for transport and the Falcon 50 and Gulfstream are used for VIP-transport. The Rabat-Salé based helicopter fleet shows a variety of helicopters. Besides the SA330 and the CH-47 for transport, the Air Force uses B205, B206 and SA342 helicopters.

The Backbone of the Moroccan Air Force is formed by five fighter squadrons, three with F-5's and two with Mirage F1's. The F-5 is rather old but funding for upgrading the type is not available. Also the plans for purchasing Mirage 2000s hasn't been realised yet. In 2001, the Moroccan AF bought an unknown number of K8 trainers, which are likely to be based at Marrakech or Meknes.

Meknes Air Base

The Base Aerienne 2 Meknes (second Air Base) was created in its present form in October 1961 and can be found in the South Eastern outskirts of Meknes. Meknes is one of the four Imperial cities and is situated about 60 kilometres to the East of capital Rabat. It is home to three fighter squadrons that all fly the F-5E and F-5F (see pictures for squadron badges). Of the fleet that once consisted of 55 F-5 (models F-5A, F-5B, RF-5A, F-5 and F-5F) 32 aircraft (F-5E and F-F) remain operational. Besides the fighters, Meknes is also home to the entire Alpha Jet H fleet and uses 25 of this trainer that was delivered to the Moroccan from 1980 onwards. The CIPC (Centre d'Instruction des Pilotes de Combat / Centre for Fighter Pilot Training) was activated on 18 October 2002 and consists of three flights: the Escadron d'Entrainement Avancé (Advanced Flying Squadron) teaches basic fighter manoeuvres after students have graduated from the T-37. The Escadron d'Instruction Sol (Ground Training Squadron) trains basic fighter tactics in the simulator with some additional live flying. The Ecole de Chasse (Fighter School) trains pilots to become a skilled fighter-pilot before transferring to one of the Mirage F1 or F-5 squadrons. Within the three F-5 squadrons, four F-5F are used for type-conversion.

The static display consisted, besides tanks and other military vehicles, of at least one example of almost every type used within the Moroccan Air Force. Also, the Gendarmerie (Military Police) and Marine Royale (Royal Navy) contributed with aircraft and helicopters. We were welcomed by a very pleasant and open atmosphere at the Open Days. Personnel were very willing to talk about their Air Force and aircraft and were very proud to show their capabilities.

Meknes Air Base