U.S. delivers training seminar to Lebanese air force

Helicopter pilots from U.S. Air Force delivered training seminar to their counterparts from the Lebanese Armed Forces, the American embassy in Beirut announced on Friday.

The training mission between Nov. 8 and 13 was part of the seminar focusing on aviation operations with pilots from helicopter units, the embassy said, adding that the training program focused on aviation support for Lebanese Armed Forces ground units and Lebanese civilians during times of humanitarian crises.

The seminar came as a Russian delegation is now visiting Lebanon in a mission of exploring the capabilities of Lebanese airports to maintain 10 MiG-29 fighters. The fighters would be provided free-of-charge to Lebanon whose air force can be negligible as it has only four jet fighters and dozens of helicopters.

The U.S. promise to supply Lebanon with AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter came under discussions during 2008, but it has never been clearly confirmed.

The Lebanese Armed Forces consist of 72,000 active personnel, with the air force made up of about 1,100 personnel.

Lebanon has six military colleges and schools. The Lebanese officers are sent to other countries to receive additional training, while the military equipment is outdated due to lack of funds and political bickering.

Lebanon always accuses Israel of violating its air space on a daily basis, but it can do nothing else as its air force can not match with Israeli's which is equipped with F-15s and F-16s.

Source: Xinhua