Tunisian Air Force

The Tunisian Air Force (جيش الطيران, Armée de l'Air ) is one of the branches of the Tunisian Armed Forces.

History
The Tunisian Air Force was established in 1959, three years after Tunisia regained its independence from France. It took deliveries of its first aircraft, eight Saab 91 Safirs, in 1960, later to be complemented by further Saab 91 Safirs. The Tunisian Air Force entered the jet age in 1965 with the purchase of 8 MB326-Bs and then 5 MB326-LTs. In 1969, the country received 15 ex-USAF F-86F Sabres. Between 1974 and 1978 12 SF.260 Warriors and 9 SF.260Cs were delivered for basic training. In 1977–78, eight MB.326KTs were supplied for light attack duties. In 1981, Tunisia ordered 12 F-5s (8 F-5E and 4 F-5F); deliveries took place in 1984–85. Tunisia added 5 ex-USAF F-5Es from the Alconbury Aggressor Squadron in 1989. In 1985 Tunisia ordered two C130-H Herculeses. In 1995, a major Czech order was placed, with 12 Aero L-59 armed trainers and 3 Let L-410UVP transports ordered. In 1997, five surplus C-130B's were delivered from the USA. Tunisia had two C-130J-30s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014. Tunisia purchased a 8 UH-60M.

Tunisia's four main bases are Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed, Gafsa, Bizerte/La Karouba, and Sfax.

Organization
The order of battle of the Tunisian Air force is as below:

Tunis-Laouina

 * No. 12 Squadron: Transport squadron, Let L-410 Turbolet

Bizerte-Sidi Ahmed

 * No. 11 Squadron: Jet trainer squadron, Aermacchi MB-326
 * No. 15 Squadron: Fighter squadron, Northrop F-5 Tiger
 * No. 21 Squadron: Transport squadron, C-130 Hercules, G-222

Bizerte-La Karouba

 * No. 31 Squadron: Helicopter squadron, Bell 205, UH-1 Iroquois
 * No. 32 Squadron: Helicopter squadron, Alouette II, Ecureuil
 * No. 33 Squadron: Helicopter squadron
 * No. 36 Squadron: Helicopter squadron

Sfax-Thyna

 * No. 13 Squadron: Light utility and liaison squadron, flying SF-260s
 * No. 14 Squadron: Light utility and liaison squadron, flying SF-260s
 * No. 31 Squadron: Helicopter squadron

Gafsa

 * No. 16 Squadron: Jet trainer squadron, flying L-59s
 * No. 34 Squadron: