Page 80 - Royal Jordanian Air Force Book

ARAB LEGION
AIR FORCE

In May 1950, it was decided to establish a training
flight and a small air observation squadron to
consist of six Austers (unarmed reconnaissance
aircraft). The existing communications flight
would be absorbed into the new force to be
known as the Arab Legion Air Force (ALAF) with
the functions of communications, air observation
post (AOP), reconnaissance and air intelligence.

In 1950, the ALAF had one DH Rapide, four
Percival Proctors, two DH Tiger Moths and two
Auster Autocrats, piloted by RAF personnel.

On National Day, May 25, 1951 the ALAF gave
its first display in front of King Abdullah I at
Amman Airport, with three Austers and Captain
Khammash flew the first Auster as leader.

At King Abdullah’s request, the British Air Officer
Commanding the Middle East area visited Amman
to discuss the possibility of providing fighter
aircraft for the ALAF but it was not until 1955 that
fighter jets became part of the Air Force.

July 19, 1951 is considered the day in which
the Royal Jordanian Air Force came into being,
although called the ALAF. On that day, King
Abdullah I with his grandson Prince Hussein
(later King Hussein), presented wings to the first
Jordanian pilots. Captain Khammash was the only
one to have trained with the RAF, while the others
had their training at a civilian establishment at
Hamble in the UK.

After the ceremony, there was an inauguration
parade at the King Abdullah Air Base, Amman.
The following day, July 20, King Abdullah was
assassinated in Jerusalem. He was succeeded
briefly by his son King Talal and then by his
grandson, King Hussein, who became the
motivating force behind the establishment of the
Air Force.

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