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| DATE | AIRCRAFT | SQDN | SERIAL | NOTES | | 18.02.10 | S. MH-60S | HCS-28 | 166322/BR | Helicopter arrived on 17.02.10, for training with the Armed Forces of Malta. Lifted off for an afternoon session, but returned immediately with an unspecified technical problem. Started again later at 16.00hrs. Callsign Ghostrider 41, carried COMSIXTHFLT titles. | | 03.09.10 | A.319CJ | | 15+01 | A/c arrived on the 2nd as GAF607. Departure delayed by technical difficulties. Parts brought by GAF CL601 12+04, flying in as GAF608. A.319 departed on the 4th. | | 09.10.10 | BAe Typhoon | R. Saudi AF | ZK073/305 & ZK704/306 | Aircraft were ready to depart at around 09.15hrs, but had to shut down due to a “minor problem”. Eventually departed at 12.55hrs local. | | 15.10.10 | L. C-130 | Belgian AF | CH-12 | Aircraft arrived on the 14th. Departure delayed for an hour due to a technical problem. | | 22.11.10 | L. C-130 | Belgian AF | CH-11 | Aircraft arrived on the 21st. Departure delayed by a few hours due to problems with flight planning at country of destination. |
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The Libyan Uprising The uprising by Arab people against their governments started off in Tunis on 17th December 2010, quickly spreading to other Arab/North African countries.
The civil unrest in Libya started on 15 February 2011, and with that country being located just 200 miles south of Malta, it was inevitable that the island would become reluctantly involved. The first hint of trouble came in the early afternoon of 21st February, when two Heli Union helicopters made an unexpected appearance, landing at park 4. They were joined a few hours later by two Libyan AF Mirage F1 jets, still carrying rocket pods.
As a result of the conflict, an exodus of people working in Libya sought every means possible to escape, towards the Egyptian and Tunisian borders, or by sea/air towards Malta. Foreign governments ferried their nationals either by sending naval units, aircraft (both civil & military), made use of the catamaran usually used on the Malta-Sicily trips, or by Air Malta.
For a number of days, a number of Royal AF Chinooks and C-130 transports were stationed at the MIA, these being used for flights into Libya, usually to rescue people caught stranded in oil fields in the desert.
When SR Technic announced the setting up an aircraft repair centre in Malta, Park 4 was offered as the site to build its new hangar, and as a result, around 60% was fenced off. But with two helicopters and two fighters practically occupying what remained of the park, the chain link fence was removed on 24th February.
Politically speaking, the Republic of Malta is a neutral and non-aligned country, prohibiting the country from being used as a military base. The constitution provides for two exceptions, either Malta is facing a threat of aggression form a military power, or for UN-mandated military action.
Although the attacks on Libya fell squarely under the latter exception, there was a consensus by both government and opposition that only military aircraft involved in humanitarian operations could be based on the island.
A page dealing with the civil aspects of this operation is to be found in the Civil Accidents page.
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| DATE |
AIRCRAFT |
SQDN |
SERIAL |
NOTES |
| 21.02.11 |
D. Mirage F1 |
Libyan AF |
502 |
Aircraft flew to Malta to avoid bombing Libyan civilians. They came in below 500ft arrived in radio silence, only contacting Malta Radar for the last 20 miles. Each aircraft carried rocket pods, and was finished in a two-tone brown camouflage, with green disk and flag on fin. To park 4 after landing. Weaponry removed by 3rd March by French engineers, and aircraft towed to Park 5 on the 4th, were they still are, until the time the Libyan crisis is resolved. Pilots have requested political asylum. |
| 21.02.11 |
D. Mirage F1 |
Libyan AF |
508 |
As above. |
| 23.02.11 |
C-160 Transall |
Luftwaffe |
|
GAF120 |
| 23.02.11 |
C-160 Transall |
Luftwaffe |
|
GAF121 |
| 24.02.11 |
C-160 Transall |
Luftwaffe |
51+10 |
Arrived as GAF328. |
| 24.02.11 |
BAe 146 |
Royal AF |
ZE701 |
Ascot 1896, same day arr/dep. |
| 24.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Belgian AF |
CH-10 |
Same day arr/dep. |
| 24.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH888 |
Arrived. |
| 24.02.11 |
Gu. IV |
Swedish AF |
021 |
Same day arrival/departure. |
| 24.02.11 |
Ga. Learjet |
Irish Air Corps |
258 |
|
| 24.02.11 |
C-27 Spartan |
Romanian AF |
2702 |
Arrived. |
| 25.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian AF |
177702 |
CFC3621 |
| 26.02.11 |
Ga. Learjet |
Irish Air Corps |
258 |
Departure. |
| 26.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177702 |
Departed. |
| 26.02.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
ZA776 |
Early morning arrival. |
| 26.02.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
ZA679/AG |
Early morning arrival. |
| 26.02.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
ZA684 |
Early morning arrival. |
| 26.02.11 |
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Ascot 4592, departed r/w 31, intersection Charlie, most probably a C-130 mission into Libya. |
| 26.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
XV202 |
Ascot 4584/5, same day arrival/departure. |
| 26.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
XV221? |
Ascot 5177, arrived. |
| 26.02.11 |
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Ascot 5586, departure. |
| 26.02.11 |
BAe 146 |
Royal AF |
ZE701 |
Ascot 1892, arrived. |
| 26.02.11 |
|
Romanian AF |
|
RAF303, departed. |
| 26.02.11 |
W. Lynx |
Netherlands Navy |
227 |
Late afternoon arrival. |
| 27.02.11 |
CN.235 |
Irish Air Corps |
|
To/from Libya. |
| 27.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177701 |
CFC3621?, departed |
| 27.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177702 |
CAMFORCE 4037, departure |
| 27.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177703 |
CAMFORCE 3804, arrival. |
| 27.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH877 |
Ascot 5586, arrived. Departed for mission to Libya. |
| 27.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH878 |
Ascot 4594 |
| 27.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Kuwait AF |
KAF325 |
Departed. |
| 27.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Swedish AF |
847 |
|
| 27.02.11 |
Gu. IV |
Irish Government |
251 |
Departed. |
| 27.02.11 |
Ga. Learjet |
USAFE |
40112 |
Valor 70, made a number of touch & gos prior to departure. |
| 27.02.11 |
DA10 |
French Navy |
143 |
FN5060, departed. |
| 27.02.11 |
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Ascot 4592 ?? |
| 28.02.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177703 |
Noted at airport, night time arrival. |
| 28.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Belgian AF |
CH-07 |
BAF640, carried UN titles, departed on 1st March. |
| 28.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Romanian AF |
6166 |
Noted at P4. |
| 28.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
RNAF |
NAF32 |
At least one flight to/from Tripoli. |
| 28.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
130603 |
Arrived as CAMFORCE 3805.
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| 28.02.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
130604 |
Arrived as CAMFORCE 3806.
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| 28.02.11 |
C-27 Spartan |
Romanian AF |
|
Arrived. |
| 28.02.11 |
CN.235 |
Irish Air Corps |
253 |
Noted at Park 2. |
| 28.02.11 |
Gu. IV |
Irish Air Corps |
251 |
Noted at Park 3. |
| 01.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
|
Departed as CAMFORCE 3805. |
| 01.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
|
Departed as CAMFORCE 3808.
|
| 01.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Romanian AF |
6191 |
Same day arrival/departure as RAF306. |
| 01.03.11 |
L. C-130J-30 |
Italian AF |
MM62187/46-53 |
Arrived. |
| 01.03.11 |
CN.235 |
Irish Air Corps |
|
Departed as IRL235. |
| 01.03.11 |
Gu. IV |
Swedish AF |
|
Same day arr/dep as SVF21. |
| 01.03.11 |
W. Lynx |
Royal Navy |
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| 01.03.11 |
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Navy 470, at least one flight into MIA. |
| 02.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
|
CAMFORCE 3805. |
| 02.03.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
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Rafair 7341, departed. |
| 02.03.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
|
Rafair 7341, departed in formation w/above. |
| 02.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Swedish AF |
|
|
| 02.03.11 |
|
Canadian Armed Forces |
|
Departed. |
| 02.03.11 |
C-27 Spartan |
Romanian AF |
|
Departed. |
| 03.03.11 |
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Ascot 1189 dep
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| 03.03.11 |
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Ascot 1896 arr |
| 03.03.11 |
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Rafair 7341 arr
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| 03.03.11 |
W. Lynx |
|
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Noted at Park 8. South Korean?? |
| 03.03.11 |
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Rescue 407 arr
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| 03.03.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
|
|
| 03.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
|
|
Departed. |
| 03.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
|
|
Departed. |
| 03.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Swedish AF |
|
Departed. |
| 04.03.11 |
Romanian AF |
|
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Arrived. |
| 04.03.11 |
B. C-17 |
Royal AF |
|
Arrived?? |
| 04.03.11 |
C-160 |
Luftwaffe |
|
Departed. |
| 04.03.11 |
W. Lynx |
South Korean Navy |
91-0707 |
Seen on deck. |
| 05.03.11 |
W. Merlin |
Royal Navy |
|
At least two flights into Malta. |
| 05.03.11 |
|
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Ascot 6850, arrived. |
| 05.03.11 |
BAe 146 |
Royal AF |
ZE701 |
Ascot 1896 |
| 05.03.11 |
B. C-17 |
Royal AF |
ZZ175 |
Ascot 6854 check!!! |
| 06.03.11 |
Gu. IV |
Netherlands AF |
V-11 |
NAF10. |
| 07.03.11 |
W. Lynx |
Royal Navy |
|
Same Day arrival/ departure. |
| 07.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Swedish AF |
847 |
Arrived. |
| 09.03.11 |
B/V Chinook |
Royal AF |
|
Departed. |
| 08.03.11 |
Bo. CL-600 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
144617 |
Arrived as Camforce 3072, departed the following day, same c/s. |
| 10.03.11 |
B. C-17 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
177704 |
Same day arrival/departure as Camforce 4062. |
| 10.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Canadian Armed Forces |
130604 |
Departed. |
| 11.03.11 |
B. C-17 |
Royal AF |
ZZ176 |
Same day arrival/departure as Ascot 6858. |
| 11.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH868 |
Departed as Ascot 5585. |
| 11.03.11 |
BAe 146 |
Royal AF |
ZE710 |
Ascot 1209. Brought UK Defence Secretary Mr. Liam Fox for talks with Maltese Govt. |
| 11.03.11 |
Si. SH-3 Sea King |
Indian Navy |
IN535, IN537, IN538 |
Seen on board L41 Jalashwa, which had brought Indian citizens from Libya. |
| 11.03.11 |
SA Alouette |
Indian Navy |
IN448 |
Seen on board L41 Jalashwa. |
| 22.03.11 |
L. C-130 |
Swedish AF |
843 |
Arrived as SVF878. Flew to Gerba and back on 23.03. |
| 10.04.11 |
B. C-17 |
Royal AF |
ZZ175 |
|
| 15.04.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
|
Arrived as RRR5254, departed on the 16th. |
| 22.04.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH865 |
Arrived as RRR4566, departed on the 23rd. |
| 05.05.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
ZH685 |
Same day arrival/departure? |
| 06.05.11 |
W. Sea King HC4 |
Royal Navy |
ZF120 |
C/s Commander 1. Same day Arrival/Departure. |
| 14.05.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
|
Arrived as RRR5623. |
| 14.05.11 |
L. C-130 |
Royal AF |
|
RRR5622. Flight to Libya and back on the 15th. |
| 18.05.11 |
L. C-130 |
French AF |
5150 |
Arrived as CTM14165, departing on the 19th. |
| 20.05.11 |
B. C-17 |
Royal AF |
ZZ173 |
Same day arrival/departure as Ascot 6682. Aircraft was supposed to have arrived on the 19th, but experienced technical problems and returned to RAF Brize Norton. Regarded as last day of operations by NATO aircraft based in Malta. |
| 25.05.11 |
L. C-130 |
South African AF |
403 |
Departed on 01.06.11. Flights to/from Libya on at least the 28th and the 31st. |
| 23.07.11 |
C-160 |
French AF |
61-ZA/R97 |
Arrived as Cotam 1442, for flights between Malta and Benghazi. |
| 27.07.11 |
C-160 |
German AF |
50+72 |
Arrived as GAF101. Departed on the 28th. Made a flight to Benghazi and back on each day. |
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The (mainly) French Connection
(With apologies to Hollywood director William Friedkin.)
Although Malta refused to allow military fighters to be based in Malta for the purposes of bombing Libya, (see under The Libyan Uprising above), nevertheless, a number of military aircraft had to divert to Malta.
Mostly French types, reasons for landing were either failure to maintain refueling scheduled with tankers (including broken probes), or more serious technical problems, such as engine failure. This in turn necessitated various visits by a number of transport aircraft bringing in the required parts and technicians.
| LANDED | DEPARTED | AIRCRAFT | OPERATOR | SERIAL | NOTES | | 20.04.11 | 20.04.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-CL/657 | Aircraft on a reconnaissance trip over Libya. Diverted to Malta after failing to rendezvous with tanker. Departed for their base after refueling. | | 20.04.11 | 20.04.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 118-MZ/615 | As above. | | 23.04.11 | 02.05.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-CL/657 | Aircraft suffered hydraulic problems, and remained on taxiway Alpha until late evening, when it was towed to Park 4. Engine runs on 30.04. | | 23.04.11 | 24.04.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-CT/620 | Hydraulic problems in one aircraft forced their diversion to Malta. | | 23.04.11 | 23.04.11 | L. C-130 | French AF | 5119 | Brought technical support team for Mirage 112-CL/657. Night arrival/departure. | | 26.04.11 | 26.04.11 | L. C-130 | French AF | 61-PM/4588 | CTM2040. In connection with Mirage 112-CL/657. | | 02.05.11 | 02.05.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-CT/620 | Aircraft on a reconnaissance trip over Libya, forced to divert due to poor weather. Departed after refueling. | | 02.05.11 | 02.05.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-CV/653 | As above. | | 22.05.11 | | D. Etendard | French Navy | 37 | Diverted to refuel, but remained in Malta, due to high winds. | | 28.05.11 | 28.05.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 112-NK/661 | Departed after refueling. | | 28.05.11 | 28.05.11 | D. Mirage F1 | French AF | 118-MZ/615 | Departed after refueling. | | 31.05.11 | 01.06.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 102-ER/68 | Diverted due to broken refueling probe. C/s Stroke 61. | | 31.05.11 | 31.05.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 102-MK/74 | Landed with 102-ER, but departed, as FAF7071, after refueling. | | 31.05.11 | 01.06.11 | CN 235 | French AF | 62-IK | Technical support for Mirage 2000 102-ER/68. | | 02.06.11 | | D. Etendard | French Navy | 41 | Diverted. | | 03.06.11 | 03.06.11 | L. F-16 | Danish AF | E-204 | Diverted to Malta because of bad weather over Sigonella. Landed with E-607, departed later. | | 03.06.11 | 03.06.11 | L. F-16 | Danish AF | E-607 | As above. | | 08.06.11 | 08.06.11 | L. F-16 | US AF | 91-372 | Departed after re-fuelling. | | 08.06.11 | 08.06.11 | L. F-16 | US AF | 92-910 | Departed after re-fuelling. | | 01.07.11 | 01.07.11 | D. Rafale | French AF | 113-HB/309 | Midnight landing due to a tech problem, departed later in the evening. | | 01.07.11 | 01.07.11 | D. Rafale | French AF | 113-HN/319 | Landed with 113-HB above, departed later in the afternoon. | | 01.07.11 | 02.07.11 | CN 235 | French AF | 61-1B/045 | Tech support for Rafale 309. | | 04.07.11 | 05.07.11 | BD Atlantic | French Navy | 9 | Crew shut down no. 1 engine and declared a mayday. It landed uneventfully at around 0300LT and departed around 18.30hrs on the 5th. A/c carried special commemorative colours and stickers, “100 years”. | | 05.07.11 | ? | CN 235 | French AF | 61-1B/045 | Again came as technical support aircraft for Atlantic. | | 12.07.11 | 13.07.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 113-JF/660 | Suffered tyre problems on landing. Departed with 116-CA as FAF7261. | | 12.07.11 | 13.07.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 116-CA/304 | Diverted due to broken re-fueling probe. | | 12.07.11 | 13.07.11 | C-160 | French AF | 61-ZN/R96 | Technical support for Mirages. Departed as Cotam 2066. | | 25.07.11 | 03.8.11 | BAe Tornado | Royal AF | ZA463/028 | 617 squadron, c/s OUP012. Carried ‘XV’ marking on starboard side on fin. | | 26.07.11 | 06.08.11 | BAe Tornado | Royal AF | ZG791/137 | Diversion due to hydraulic failure. C/s OUP046. No squadron markings. Dep as OUP560 on. | | 26.07.11 | | BAe 125 | Royal AF | ZD620 | Technical support for Tornado above. | | 28.07.11 | 28.07.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 113-LG/651 | Arrived at around 01.00 w/116-CX/324, departed 03.00. Both a/c two-seaters. | | 28.07.11 | 28.07.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 116-CX/324 | As above. | | 29.07.11 | 29.07.11 | BAe Tornado | Royal AF | ZG775/134 | c/s OUP441, landed at 04.00, departed 06.33. | | 29.07.11 | 31.07.11 | L. F-16 | Danish AF | E-597 | c/s OUP913. Diverted with engine problems. Second F-16, E-605, continued to Sigonella after making a low pass. Eventually departed in the evening as DAF3204. | | 29.07.11 | | L. C-130 | Danish AF | B-538 | c/s DAF1680. Technical support for F-16. | | 30.07.11 | 01.08.11 | BAe Tornado | Royal AF | ZG709/120 | 2 squadron, c/s OUP122, landed at 22.25 on one engine. Departed as OUP459. | | 31.07.11 | | L. C-130 | Royal AF | ZH888 | c/s Ascot 5811. Technical support for Tornado ZG709. | | 05.08.11 | 12.08.11 | BAe Tornado | Royal AF | ZD790/099 | 31 squadron, diversion due to technical problems, needed to be towed to parking spot. c/s OUP316. Second Tornado, ZD746/094 of 2 squadron, continued on its way, after a low pass. Departed as OUP360. | | 07.08.11 | | L. C-130 | Royal AF | ZH873 | c/s RRR5105. Technical support for Tornado ZD790. | | 05.09.11 | 05.09.11 | BAe Typhoon | Royal AF | ZJ293/DM | 11 squadron, diverted to refuel. C/S OUP842. | | 05.09.11 | 05.09.11 | D. Mirage 2000D | French AF | 133-JU/614 | c/s OUP701. Diverted to refuel. | | 05.09.11 | 05.09.11 | D. Mirage F.1 | French AF | 118-NE/617 | c/s OUP701. Diverted to refuel. | | 06.09.11 | 07.09.11 | D. Mirage 2000D | French AF | 671/133-XK | Early dawn diversion due to a broken refueling probe tip. c/s OUP745a/b. | | 06.09.11 | 06.09.11 | D. Mirage 2000N | French AF | 343/116-AH | Diverted to refuel. | | 06.09.11 | 07.09.11 | C-160 | French AF | R4/61-MD | c/s Cotam 2081. Technical support for Mirage 2000D. | | 22.09.11 | 02.10.11 | BAe Tornado | | ZG706/118 | c/s OUP430. Diverted due to hydraulic problems at around 21.00hrs. After landing, the aircraft stopped near the r/w 13 threshold, blocking the runway. One civilian flight diverted to Catania, others landed on runway 23/05. Tornado finally towed off the runway into hangar at around 11.30 on the 23rd. | | 27/28.09.11 | 28.09.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 116-CS/305 | Diversion due to bad weather. | | 27/28.09.11 | 28.09.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 133-JR/682 | Diversion due to bad weather. | | 13.10.11 | 13.10.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 133-IS/617 | Diverted to refuel. | | 17-18.10.11 | | BAe Tornado | | ZD850/111 | Landed at around midnight, diverted to refuel. Left later in the afternoon. | | 17-18.10.11 | | BAe Tornado | | ZD720/086 | As above. | | 21.10.11 | 21.10.11 | D. Mirage 2000 | French AF | 125-BD/371 | Landed with 133-IO below. Departed after refueling, a few hours later. c/s OUP605. | | 21.10.11 | | D. Mirage 2000D | French AF | 133-IO/647 | Diverted due to damaged refueling probe. | | 21.10.11 | 22.10.11 | CN-235 | French AF | 111 | Technical support for above. Night arrival. |
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| LANDED | AIRCRAFT | OPERATOR | SERIAL | NOTES | | __.02.12 | C-21A | USAF | 84-0081 | Unspecified problems. Parts brought over by similar type, 84-0109 ?, c/s Spar 91, on 13.02.12 | | 15.03.12 | Falcon 10MER | French Navy | 185 | Aircraft had arrived on the 14th. Dep as FNY55A2, but had to return with a cracked windshield. Departed on the 23rd after repairs were carried out by MCM Ltd. Parts brought over by Falcon 10 No. 32 on the 16th. |
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