Rayak Air Base
Encyclopedia
Rayak Air Base is Lebanon
's first air base and the place where the Lebanese Air Force
was born on June 1, 1949. Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahlé
and Anjar
, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force
best and home for most of the aircraft types that have seen service and the final resting place for almost all retiring planes.
The airbase was built prior to the Lebanon's independence, and has been in use since 1914 by different foreign armies such as the German, Ottoman, British and the French.
. After the allies took hold of this base, they enlarged the it and French aviation in addition to flight specialists started training a number of Lebanese personnel on aircraft mechanics. On August 1, 1945, Lebanon took hold of its army together with the Battalion of the first airbase (Rayak).
During the French Mandate of Lebanon
, Rayak Air base was considered to be the "jewel" of the Air bases and the center of attraction of all other military units, not only in Lebanon but also in mandated Syria
and all the near east. The base had many entertainment facilities, luxuries, flowering gardens, and central heating, which at that time were not found in military sites elsewhere in the region.
The French Air Force evacuated the base in 1949, and it was abandoned for a long time, which contributed in turning it into a miserable condition, especially after being robbed by its own guards. The army command
later decided to rebuilt the air base, a reconstruction that took two months and which included the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.
The first officers assigned to the base were:
Recruitment started with one hundred personnel, many of those who already had experience with the French.
The first course students' included:
lighting system.
which trains air force pilots. The school currently employs Robinson Raven R44 II
helicopters for these training purposes.
The Lebanese Air Force Technical school is also located at Rayak Air Base, its goal is to qualify technician for the whole air force.
The museum displays:
The museum comprises one hangar and is intended to become a public museum in the future.
jets, much like the rest of its grounded fixed-wing jets, are stored at Rayak. In 2007 the LAF begun the process of restoring the Hunters to airworthy condition. Initially these were to be used against the Fatah al-Islam
terrorist group which the army was battling during the Nahr el-Bared Operation
, yet this operation ended before the air force was able to complete their restoration. During November 2008, the air force successfully made three hunters operational, and displayed them during Lebanon's 65th independence anniversary on November 22, 2008. The base has always been considered to be the home of those hunters, however during the eighties the hunters had to move to Hallat strip due to the close proximity of the air base to Syria
. The hunters later returned to the base, yet were grounded during 1994. All fights during 2008, after restoration, were carried from this base.
on July 13 2006, during the 2006 Lebanon War. A bomb on each runway was sufficient to punch deep holes and render the airport disabled.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
's first air base and the place where the Lebanese Air Force
Lebanese Air Force
The Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
was born on June 1, 1949. Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahlé
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
and Anjar
Anjar
Anjar may refer to:*Anjar, India, a town and municipality of India*Anjar, Lebanon, a town in the Bekaa valley of Lebanon...
, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force
Lebanese Air Force
The Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
best and home for most of the aircraft types that have seen service and the final resting place for almost all retiring planes.
The airbase was built prior to the Lebanon's independence, and has been in use since 1914 by different foreign armies such as the German, Ottoman, British and the French.
History
Rayak Air Base was constructed and used by the Germans in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. After the allies took hold of this base, they enlarged the it and French aviation in addition to flight specialists started training a number of Lebanese personnel on aircraft mechanics. On August 1, 1945, Lebanon took hold of its army together with the Battalion of the first airbase (Rayak).
During the French Mandate of Lebanon
French Mandate of Lebanon
The state of Greater Lebanon, the predecessor of modern Lebanon, was created in 1920 as part of the French scheme of dividing the French Mandate of Syria into six states....
, Rayak Air base was considered to be the "jewel" of the Air bases and the center of attraction of all other military units, not only in Lebanon but also in mandated Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and all the near east. The base had many entertainment facilities, luxuries, flowering gardens, and central heating, which at that time were not found in military sites elsewhere in the region.
The French Air Force evacuated the base in 1949, and it was abandoned for a long time, which contributed in turning it into a miserable condition, especially after being robbed by its own guards. The army command
Lebanese Armed Forces
The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army according to its official Website The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية | Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa al-Lubnāniyya) or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the...
later decided to rebuilt the air base, a reconstruction that took two months and which included the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.
The first officers assigned to the base were:
- Deputy Commander Lt. Ahmad Arab
- Administrative officer Antranik Tatoussian
- Service battalion officer Victor Charles
Recruitment started with one hundred personnel, many of those who already had experience with the French.
The first course students' included:
- Lt. Ali Abboud
- Sergeants John Ayoub
- Segeant Izat Hariri
- Civil pilot Hassan Badawi
- Civil pilot René Abdallah
- Civil pilot Michel Nawfal
- Civil pilot Emil Succar
Facilities
An administration building, several hangars (most of which built during the French Mandate of Lebanon), a control tower, officers club, houses, parachutes tower, barracks, and workshops make up the airport. In addition, both runways are equipped with Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL)Runway Edge Lights
Runway Edge Lights are used to outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions. These light systems are classified according to the intensity they are capable of producing:...
lighting system.
Aviation School & Technical School
The airbase is the home of the Lebanese Air Force Aviation SchoolLebanese Air Force Aviation School
The Lebanese Air Force Aviation School is a military school and part of the Lebanese Air Force, established in 1960 . The school aims to qualify air force pilots, and is located at Rayak Air Base; however it is controlled by the air force command in Beirut Air Base...
which trains air force pilots. The school currently employs Robinson Raven R44 II
Robinson R44
|-See also:-External links:* * * * * *...
helicopters for these training purposes.
The Lebanese Air Force Technical school is also located at Rayak Air Base, its goal is to qualify technician for the whole air force.
Lebanon Air Force Museum
Rayak Air Base is also home to the Lebanese Air Force Museum, as it contains all of the old aircraft and the majority of grounded aircraft. The museum is not open to public, however, and visitors must obtain permission to visit from air force authorities.The museum displays:
- de Havilland Vampire T55
- Hawker Hunter F6
- Sud Aviation SE3130 Alouette II
- Sud Aviation SA316B Alouette III
- Agusta Bell AB212
- Fouga CM170 Magister
- Aerospatiale SA342L Gazelle
The museum comprises one hangar and is intended to become a public museum in the future.
Hawker Hunters
Lebanon's Hawker HunterHawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
jets, much like the rest of its grounded fixed-wing jets, are stored at Rayak. In 2007 the LAF begun the process of restoring the Hunters to airworthy condition. Initially these were to be used against the Fatah al-Islam
Fatah al-Islam
Fatah al-Islam, is a radical Sunni Islamist group that formed in November 2006 in a Palestinian refugee camp, located in Lebanon. It has been described as a militant jihadist movement that draws inspiration from al-Qaeda...
terrorist group which the army was battling during the Nahr el-Bared Operation
2007 Lebanon conflict
The 2007 Lebanon conflict began when fighting broke out between Fatah al-Islam, an Islamist militant organization, and the Lebanese Armed Forces on May 20, 2007 in Nahr al-Bared, an UNRWA Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli. It was the most severe internal fighting since Lebanon's 1975–90 civil...
, yet this operation ended before the air force was able to complete their restoration. During November 2008, the air force successfully made three hunters operational, and displayed them during Lebanon's 65th independence anniversary on November 22, 2008. The base has always been considered to be the home of those hunters, however during the eighties the hunters had to move to Hallat strip due to the close proximity of the air base to Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. The hunters later returned to the base, yet were grounded during 1994. All fights during 2008, after restoration, were carried from this base.
Attacks
Like the rest of Lebanon's airports, the runways at Rayak were bombed by the Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
on July 13 2006, during the 2006 Lebanon War. A bomb on each runway was sufficient to punch deep holes and render the airport disabled.
Notable visits
- On September 26, 1949, Marquise de Freij and his wife.
- On October 17, 1949, the British General Hayes, the supreme commander of the British troops in the Middle EastMiddle EastThe Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, visited Rayak Air base and had lunch with its officers and the British squad there. - On November 28, 1954, the US air force commander in West Tripoli General Glandburg.