Algerian Air Force

Algerian Air Force القوات الجوية الجزائرية
Badge of the Algerian Air Force
Active	1962 - present
Country	Algeria
Type	Air Force
Size	14,000 personnel
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Su-30, MiG-29, Su-24, MiG-25
Attack helicopter	Mi-24, Mi-28
Interceptor	Su-30, MiG-25
Patrol	Fokker F27, King Air
Reconnaissance	MiG-25, UAV Seeker, Su-24, B-1900D HISAR
Trainer	Z 142, T-34C, L-39, Yak-130
Transport	C-130, Il-76, C-295

The Algerian Air Force (QJJ) (Arabic: القوات الجوية الجزائرية‎‎, Al Quwwat aljawwiya aljaza'eriiya), is the aerial arm of the Algerian People's Military.

Algerian military aviation was created to aid the fight of the People National Army against the French occupying forces. It came as part of the decisions of the Soummam congress held on August 20, 1956 which recommended a long term plan to form a modern army [1]

A structure was created to receive the Algerian students of the People National Army, among which some were sent to friendly countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, USSR, to train as aircraft pilots and aeronautics technicians [2].

During this period, the French colonial army had started the lines of Challe and Morrice used to isolate the ALN fighters inside the country and to stop supplies coming from Tunisia and Morocco. Then came the idea to train transport and helicopter pilots to ensure supplying the national liberation army and to prepare the first core of the military aviation.

Training was one of the major preoccupations of the ALN/FLN leaders. Military aviation had a core of pilots and ASDFDASF technicians after independence, who laid the foundations of the present Air Force. The Direction of Air was born and the first air units of independent Algeria were set up i.e. a flight of helicopters that was acquired during the revolution, and a flight of combat aircraft.

The Algerians authorities sent trainees to friendly countries such Egypt, Syria, Iraq, China and USSR, while waiting for the creation of Algerian Air Force schools.

In 1966, the Air Base of Tafraoui in the 2nd Military Region was built as an air officers school (EOA) where the first officer students were received for the training of pilots and technicians in aeronautics. [3].

During this first decade, immediately after independence, the Algerian Air Force acquired planes from the USSR, mainly MiG-15UTI and MiG-17, and some donated by Egypt. When border clashes with Morocco occurred in 1963, the Algerian government decided to reinforce the capacities of the army and the air force. MiG-17F light bomber, MiG-21 F13 interceptor, Su-7BMK fighter/bomber and some An-12 airlifters were purchased from the USSR. Mi-1 and Mi-4 helicopters were also deployed. During the Six Days War in 1967, and war of attrition between 1967 and 1973, 2 Squadrons of MiG-17F, One Squadron of MiG-21F13 and one Squadron of Su-7BMK were stationed in Egypt to support the Arab coalition.