Free Libyan Air Force is formed by a group of defected fighter pilots who assist the Anti-Gaddafi forces of the Libyan Civil War. They mainly operate defected or captured aircraft of Libyan Airforce. The term was first used on March 13th 2011 when Ali Atiyya colonel of the Libyan Air Force defected and joined the revolution. The Free Libyan Airforce operates about 11 aircraft.
The Free Libyan airforce’s first operation was sinking of two pro-Gaddafi warships with a MIG-23 and a Mi-24. No-fly zone imposed by the UN does not allow both forces to use military aircraft hence Free Libyan airforce violates no-fly zone and in many occasion aircraft were shot down by pro-Gaddafi forces.
Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said “A clear violation was committed by the rebels to (UN) resolution 1973 relating to the no-fly zone.” The government forces had shot down two rebel helicopters in the east.
In this image taken during an organized trip by the Libyan authorities, Libyan tribal elders loyal to Moammar Gadhafi display their new weapons in Ban-Waled, home of the Warfallah tribe, 160kms (100 miles) south east of Tripoli, Libya, Wednesday March 23, 2011. http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2011/03/libya_conflict_march_23_2011.html