Cèdre Bleu 2013

On March 26, Blue Cedar, bilateral amphibious exercise organized by France and Lebanon, was held in the bay of Jounieh north of Beirut. As a sign of the French commitment for defense cooperation with Lebanon Cedar Blue was conducted for the second consecutive year jointly by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the French amphibious group deployed within the Jeanne d’Arc mission.

The Lebanese Armed Forces engaged a mechanized section equipped with  M113 APCs, two airborne infantry platoons along with three UH-1H and two Gazelle helicopters, two EDIC landing craft and fifty naval commandos with their boats. One Cessna AC-208B Combat Caravan and three patrol boats completed the monitoring device.

On French side: besides the BPC Tonnerre and the Georges Leygues anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate, the amphibious group included two hundred legionaries of the 6th Light Armored Brigade, embarked with some fifty vehicles. A fast amphibious landing craft (EDAR), two barges carrying equipment, an Army Puma, two Army Gazelle and a Navy Alouette 3 helicopters completed the device during the year.

A Lebanese Navy Commandos securing the landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

A Lebanese Navy Commandos securing the landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

French Army Sappers securing the landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

French Army sappers securing the landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

The landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

French Legionaries during the landing operation.

The landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29, The EDAR being next to it.

The landing of a French Army UNAC EGAME dozer from the CTM 29.

A Lebanese Army M113A1 of the Moujawakal Regiment disembarking from a Lebanese Navy EDIC-III

A French Army UNAC EGAME dozer ready for landing operation.

A French Army Puma helicopter on the BPC Tonnerre.

A French Army Puma and a French Navy Alouette III helicopters on the BPC Tonnerre.

A French Legionary on the beach.

General view of the Landing operation.

General view of the Landing operation.

General view of the Landing operation.

Sources & Photo credits: Lebanese Army Website, Ministère de La defense, AFP…

More photos can be seen on bpctonnerre.free.fr

Helicopter Walk Around: LAF SA-342L Gazelle

A set of 25 photos of L-915, the Lebanese Air Force SA-342L Gazelle of the 8th Squadron:

Photos taken at SMES 2011 in Beirut:

Photos Credits: Chadi RACHID (A cheerful thanks to the Lebanese Air Force officers and crew around the helicopters for their kindness)

Qatar National Day

A photo report from the Qatar National Day military parade held on December 18 2012:

Another courtesy from Elite Group Lebanon:

Qatar Armed Forces Ferret Mk2 armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces FV601 Saladin.

Qatar Armed Forces FV603 Saracen APCs & Daimler armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces FV603 Saracen APC

Qatar Armed Forces FV603 Saracen APC

Qatar Armed Forces Daimler armoured cars.

Qatar Armed Forces Daimler armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces Daimler armoured cars.

Qatar Armed Forces Daimler armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces Daimler armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces Land Rover Series II SWB towing a 25pdr gun

Qatar Armed Forces Land Rover Series II SWB towing a 25pdr gun

Qatar Armed Forces Ferret Mk2 armoured cars.

A Qatar Armed Forces Ferret Mk2 armoured car & an Austin Champ vehicle.

Qatar Armed Forces VBL all-terrain vehicle.

Qatar Armed Forces VBL all-terrain vehicle.

Qatar Armed Forces VBL all-terrain vehicle.

Qatar Armed Forces Toyota Land Cruiser 4500 EFI of the Special Forces.

A Qatar Armed Forces Ford F350 Super Duty of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad.

The same Qatar Armed Forces Ford F350 Super Duty of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad.

A Qatar Armed Forces Chevrolet Suburban of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

A Qatar Armed Forces Chevrolet 2500 HD of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

A Qatar Armed Forces Ford Raptor SVT of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces VAB VMO of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces VAB VMO of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

A Qatar Armed Forces VAB VMO of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces VAB VMO of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces VAB VMO of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces MOWAG Piranha II 8×8 w/90mm CCTS turret of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces MOWAG Piranha II 8×8 w/90mm CCTS turret of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces MOWAG Piranha II 8×8 w/90mm CCTS turret of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

Qatar Armed Forces MOWAG Piranha II 8×8 w/90mm CCTS turret of the Emiri Guard Brigade.

A Qatar Internal Security Forces Chevrolet Suburban SWATEC HARAS.

Newly acquired Qatar Internal Security Forces Renault Trucks Defense Sherpa Light APCs.

Newly acquired Qatar Internal Security Forces Renault Trucks Defense Higuard MRAP AFVs.

Newly acquired Qatar Internal Security Forces Renault Trucks Defense Higuard MRAP AFVs.

A Qatar Internal Security Forces Zodiac Hurricane.

A Qatar Internal Security Forces Ziegler WAWE 9000 Riot Control truck.

A Qatar Internal Security Forces Mercedes based Smiths Heimann HCVM X-RAY Mobile Screening System.

An Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

Qatar Emiri Air Force Westland Commando Mk.3 helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force Westland Commando Mk.3 helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force AgustaWestland AW139M helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force AgustaWestland AW139M helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force SA 342 Gazelle helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force SA 342 Gazelle helicopters.

Qatar Emiri Air Force Alpha Jet E closing the parade.

Photo Credits: Elite Group Lebanon

Lebanese Independence Day 2012: A Day at the Air Force

Another courtesy from Elite Group Lebanon.

From Beirut Air Force Base Samer Kassis send us a little photo report of today’s event on the field:

 

Three Lebanese Air Force SA/IAR 330SM Puma helicopters getting ready to take off and join the military parade.

Lebanese Air Force SA/IAR 330SM Puma helicopters taking off and heading for the military parade. A Lebanese m1009 can be seen in the background.

A Lebanese Air Force SA/IAR 330SM Puma helicopter getting ready to take off and join the military parade.

A Lebanese Air Force UH-1H Huey and two SA-342L Gazelle helicopters getting ready to take off and join the military parade.

A Lebanese Air Force Volvo NL12 with tanker trailer at Beirut Air Force Base.

 

A Lebanese Civil Defense Sikorsky S-61N at Beirut Air Force Base.

A Lebanese Air Force SA-342L Gazelle helicopter back from the military parade and refueling from an M149 trailer.

A Lebanese Air Force SA-342L Gazelle helicopter back from the military parade and refueling from an M149 trailer.

 

 

 

Photos Credits: Samer KASSIS/Elite Group Lebanon

 

Rayak AFB Open Day 2012

Lebanese Air Force Robinson R44 Raven II, IAR-330SM, Sikorsky S-61N and SA-342L Gazelle during the open day at the Rayak air base, September 2, 2012.

Lebanese Air Force IAR-330SM and Sikorsky S-61N during the open day at the Rayak air base, September 2, 2012.

Lebanese Air Force IAR-330SM and Sikorsky S-61N during the open day at the Rayak air base, September 2, 2012.

Lebanese Air Force Robinson R44 Raven II, IAR-330SM, Sikorsky S-61N and SA-342L Gazelle during the open day at the Rayak air base, September 2, 2012.

 

Source: Lebanese Army Website

 

 

 

 

 

Dixmude in Beirut

A little photo report from Elite Group Lebanon inside the BPC Dixmude in Beirut:

The French Marine Nationale new BPC Dixmude in Beirut Seaport.

A French ALAT SA-342L1 Viviane onboard the BPC Dixmude.

A pair of French ALAT SA-342L1 Viviane onboard the BPC Dixmude.

A French Aviation Navale SA.319B Alouette III onboard the BPC Dixmude.

A pair of French ALAT SA.330Ba Puma onboard the BPC Dixmude.

A French Aviation Navale SA.319B Alouette III onboard the BPC Dixmude.

A French Aviation Navale SA.319B Alouette III and a pair of French ALAT SA.330Ba Puma onboard the BPC Dixmude.

 

Photo Credits: Elite Group Lebanon

“Cèdre Bleu”

As part of the French-Lebanese bilateral cooperation and in the same time the training of student officers of the Groupe Jeanne d’Arc 2012, an amphibious exercise called Blue Cedar was held on 13 and 17 March in Jounieh, north of Beyrouth. Set by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), blue Cedar has seen the implementation of joint assets. The LAF participated with a sub-arms task force (SGTIA) with M113 APCs, two landing craft infantry and tanks (EDIC), two Gazelle helicopters and three helicopters Bell UH1. French forces have been engaged from the PBC Dixmude with VAB APCs, an amphibious landing craft fast (EDAR), two barges transporting material (CTM) and two Gazelle helicopters.

A Wonderful photo report made by the ECPAD is available on their website, here are some of these photos:

The newly delivered French Marine Nationale BPC Dixmude on it's first mission overseas in front of Lebanese shores.

The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft and a pair of French ALAT SA-342L1 Viviane.

The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft.

The Lebanese Air Force L1009 UH-1H of the 10th Squadron.

A Lebanese Navy Willard Marine Sea Force 11m Standard Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat (SN RIB/RHIB).

A French ALAT SA.330Ba Puma.

The French Marine Nationale CTM 27 and EDAR L9093. The EDAR (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide) is set to replace the CTM (Chaland de Transport de Matériel).

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The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft carrying French Army vehicles, among them an AMX-10RC Revalorisé, a VAB ERYX, a VAB Génie, a GBC 180 LOT 7 and a VBL.

The French Army AMX-10RC Revalorié disembarking from the Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft.

Lebanese Army M113A2 APCs of the First Armored Regiment disembarking from the Lebanese Navy 'Sour' EDIC-III landing craft.

Lebanese Army M60A3 tanks and M113A2 APCs of the First Armored Regiment.

More photos can be seen on http://www.ecpad.fr/liban-exercice-cebre-bleu

More Photos are also posted on http://bpc.dixmude.free.fr/:

Season’s Greetings from EGL

ELITE GROUP LEBANON grants us with a set of photos of one of the best live exercise held in 2011 by the Lebanese Army Commandos (Maghaweer) Regiment in the Aqoura region on early September.

Those photos came with a message from Elite Group Lebanon/Samer Kassis:

“Dear visitors of Military in the Middle East ,thank you for your support,  wish you you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I promise you that we will post many many good photos in 2012

Samer Kassis”

A Lebanese Army M825 of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Air Force SA.342L Gazelle during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Air Force UH-1H during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army M825 of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army M292 Expansible Van Truck of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army M1038 of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

Samer Kassis next to Lebanese Army T-55s of the 6th Mechanized Brigade during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army BM-21 on M809 series truckof the 2nd Artillery Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army BM-21 on Ural-375Dof the 2nd Artillery Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

Lebanese Army M113 w/ZPU-4 vehicles of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army VAB APCs of the Maghaweer Regiment during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

A Lebanese Army T-55 tanks of the 6th Mechanized Brigade during the live-fire exercise in Aqoura, September 9, 2011. (EGL/Samer Kassis)

Lebanese Independence Day Military Parade 2011 Edition (1): The Helicopters

Back from Lebanon with some nice photo sessions on the ground beginning with the Lebanese Independence Day military parade held on November 22, 2011. This part deals with the Lebanese Air Force helicopters:

Lebanese Air Force UH-1H helicopters openning the military ceremony.

Lebanese Air Force L1111 & L1105 UH-1H helicopters of the Eleventh Squadron.

Lebanese Air Force L1102 UH-1H of the Eleventh Squadron.

Lebanese Air Force L1109 UH-1H of the Eleventh Squadron performing a live exercise during the ceremony.

Lebanese Air Force SA/IAR 330SM Puma helicopters of the Ninth Squadron.

Lebanese Air Force L917 & L918 SA/IAR 330SM Puma helicopters of the Ninth Squadron.

The Lebanese Air Force L915 SA/IAR 330SM Puma of the Ninth Squadron.

The Lebanese Air Force L917 SA/IAR 330SM Puma of the Ninth Squadron.

The Lebanese Air Force L918 SA/IAR 330SM Puma of the Ninth Squadron.

Lebanese Air Force L812 & L813 SA.342L Gazelle helicopters of the Eighth Squadron.

Lebanese Air Force L812 & L813 SA.342L Gazelle helicopters of the Eighth Squadron.

The Lebanese Air Force L813 SA.342L Gazelle of the Eighth Squadron.

Photo Credits: Chadi Rachid & Elite Group Lebanon

Lybia: French Helicopters of the Operation Harmattan

This 14th of July was the opportunity to see evolving in Paris the types of French military helicopters operating in Libya through Operation Harmattan. Four types of them were displayed on the green field of the Invalides Esplanade. These types were the EurocopterAS565 Panther, the EC725 Caracal, the EC665 Tigre and the SA342 Gazelle.

 

The Eurocopter AS.565SA Panther:

 

The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eurocopter EC665 Tigre:

 

 

 

The SA342 Gazelle Viviane: