Interesting Tupolev Tu-154M 🇷🇺RA-85019 flight #RSD982. Continued into Africa after ±2 hour in Tunis.
Earlier (Mali) flights using RFF callsigns (RUSSIAN FEDERATION AIR FORCE). Now RSD (SPECIAL DETACHMENT - RUSSIA, FEDERAL STATE BUDGET INSTITUTION) - Russian Gov, a different org.
Given this different callsign and owner, I am uncertain whether this flight is at all related to the RFF flights we previously saw around Mali/within Africa.
This video by Russia Today shows three of the four Ilyushins Il-76 seen in yesterday's Russian MoD video at 🇰🇿Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan:
(🇷🇺RF-76553)
🇷🇺RA-78762
🇷🇺RF-76572
🇷🇺RF-86907
📹:
Another aircraft involved in the 🇷🇺Russia to 🇰🇿Kazakhstan airlift is 🇷🇺RF-86897, an Ilyushin Il-76MD.
"Transfer of the main forces of the Russian contingent of the CSTO peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan" (automatic translation)
Part of a long train of KC-135 tankers and C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft is #MOOSE88/🇺🇸07-7173, possibly the one that turned off the lights at 🇦🇫Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan: the last one out.
The end of an era.
It looks like 🇺🇸62-4139/#PYTHN51, a Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint ISR aircraft, is also part of the 🇺🇸 military aircraft train leaving Afghanistan. I imagine she may have kept an eye on the situation from high over 🇦🇫Kabul as inventory on ground was blown up and aircraft took off.
Also part of the train: #GRIMM21/🇺🇸60-0026, a United States Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber, part of the usual daily deployment to 🇦🇫Afghanistan that has been ongoing for months.
🇺🇸N225AX, an Omni Air International (very common U.S. Military transport contractor) Boeing 767-200 passenger aircraft is currently near 🇦🇫Kabul, Afghanistan: #OAE8078
I imagine the crew will remember the flight for the rest of their lives.
U.S. Contractor "Omni Air International" 🇺🇸N225AX #OAE8078 has landed in 🇦🇫Kabul, Afghanistan.
Also, a U.S. registered Mil Mi-171E (reg. 🇺🇸N510VS) popped up right next to the U.S. Embassy and seems to be going back and forth between airport and embassy.
Airlines use a callsign/flight number (e.g. to tell ATC who they are).
I found 148* flights NOT using a flight number from/to 🇱🇾#Libya over 2020, using their reg. as callsign (e.g. 5ALAQ) instead. (THREAD 1/4)
*Libyan Airlines, Libyan Wings and Afriqiyah Airways, excl. 5A-POL
A follower with a history working at Tripoli Mitiga Int'l noticed that Libyan Airlines 5A-LAQ was spotted with a Gulf Pearl Aviation Services support truck attached. This is apparently uncommon: Libyan Airlines has their own ground facilities at Tripoli. (2/4)
These two issues combined raise suspicion. Further research and clarification is needed:
- Why are they sometimes not using their regular callsign/flight number?
- Who operates these flights, and what do they carry?
- Why does a different company handle them on ground? (3/4)