Good to hear the sound of RR Tynes again

Morocco originally had F-5A/B/RF-5s from the US plus some supplied by the Shah of Iran. One was used to attack a RAM 727 carrying the King in a failed coup in 1972; many others were shot down by Polisario guerrillas. 20 of the newer Tiger IIs arrived from 1980 thanks to Saudi aid, with 10 or so from the US later. The survivors have been upgraded adding HUD, MFD/WDNS, RWR, ECM and new air-to-air/air-to-ground weaponry. They are based at Meknes with the Escadre de Chasse "Tigre"

Seven out of 12 Magisters in external storage at Menara AB, having been supplanted by Alpha Jets in the advanced trainer role some years ago. The other six here are 218, 215, 176, 123, 227 and 226, followed by SA330L CN-ARY. About 21 were received in the late sixties, refurbished in France but mainly from WGAF stocks (157 was ex AA+248). Some of the others are preserved on poles at various bases around the country

The Moroccan locust is a particularly virulent pest and the huge swarms periodically cause devastation to crops across the region. Here we have a Hercules demonstrating the spraying technique employed as one of the measures to combat this menace, using a special rig in the cargo bay

From the Escadron de Chasse "Atlas" at Sidi Slimane, this is one of 27 remaining Moroccan Mirages undergoing major update work under the French Astrac programme, involving avionics, airframe, engine and weaponry upgrades. Commencing in 2010, two per month were due to be completed, bringing these 30-year old aircraft right up to date. This is in addition to the 24 Block 50/52 F-16C/Ds received after a June 2008 order

No stranger to Morocco as previously operated by Jet4You as CN-RPG

A view of CNA-OC as she pulls away after her MAFFS drop during the short flying show at AeroExpo. Based at Kénitra AB, a former US Navy station on the coast north-east of Casablanca, the Moroccan AF took delivery of a total of 19 C-130Hs from 1974 onwards, ending with two tankers in 1981. The MAFFS (Modular Airborne FireFighting System) units were acquired in 2002

Displayed at the second Aeroexpo Marrakech in medevac configuration, this rather ungainly-looking helicopter is one of three delivered in 2002 and operated by the Moroccan Navy's 11F on maritime duties from Casablanca's main airport. Equipped to the same standard as French Navy Panthers, they also have radar and forward-looking infra-red pods for surface surveillance. 'Marine Royale' titles are worn on the other side. In the red hats behind are some student airmen

From the Escadre Hélico at Rabat-Salé and displayed in the medevac role. Of an original fleet numbering 34, 25 are said to be undergoing upgrade in Romania, which builds its own licenced version of the Puma (the IAR 330)

Not too many places you can get to see a sight like this. One of the two Moroccan tanker Hercules hooked up to a pair of F-5F two-seaters (91942 & 91943) from Meknes

One of two 157th FS F-16s at Aeroexpo. As the only wing in the USAF currently flying the Block 52 F-16, the 169th FW (McEntire ANGB, SC) was specially invited in view of the commonality to the 24 of this HTS-equipped variant now on order for Morocco. The flying demonstration will certainly have impressed the many African military dignitaries present

Very rarely photographed are the Moroccan agricultural & fisheries ministry Islanders. This example, one of 11, was delivered by PBN in 1993