Lockheed S-3B Viking of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 "Maulers" is seen here scratching its tailhook over the deck of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Next step of this manoeuvre is catching the cable and come to a brute stop. The Big E was sailing through the Arabian/Persian Gulf when taking this picture. This photo was made during the sundown cruise (the very final deployment) of the S-3B.

The first international display of the Russkie Vitâzi (Russian Knights) with brand-new Su-30SMs (replacing the old Su-27s within the team) took place over Langkawi in 2017.

Retracting gear, almost ready for a spectacular display over Langkawi.

Impounded in May 2008, this Navajo received FAD markings but most probably never flew with the small air force and was only used for spare parts to keep serial 1539 operational. The Navajo was formerly known as C6-PAT (Bahamas).

JAS39A Gripen of the Royal Thai Air Force, such an exotic aircraft must be pictured with a palm tree! Two aircraft were present at the Langkawi show in 2017.

US Navy MH-60S Seahawk of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 Wildcats ('WC-xx') arriving at Langkawi while a Malaysian Police Cessna 208 taxied just behind it.

This Piper 31 is most probably former C6-TTT (Bahamas). The aircraft was first noted in FAD service in the fall of 2006. The Navajo was most probably impoundeded - as many aircraft in the FAD - by the Dominican government after it was intercepted during a drugs transport smuggle activity. It is operated by the Escuadrón de Transporte Aéreo.

One of eigth Embraer A-29B Super Tucano's of the FAD. The type replaced the OA-37B Dragonlfy by december 2009 after a contract was signed in late 2007.

Fully armed CF-188 over the Med during Operation Unified Protector.

The rare Chilean built T-35B Pilan, a propeller-driven trainer aircraft, is used by the FAD for basic flight training. Eight aircraft were delivered to the FAD of which 50% have been written off and two are more or less permanently stored... not a good score! During my visit in 2011, the fleet was in better shape with five operational aircraft.

Great looking Aviocar at the platform of San Isidro. The FAD has three C212s on strength, named Duarte, Sanchez and Mello.

Tornado of the Aeronautica Militare, equipped with AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) over the Mediterranean Sea during Operating Unified Protector.

One of eight Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM, Royal Malaysian Air Force) F/A-18D Hornets pulling some G's over Langkawi.

Asian Flanker, the Malaysian Air Force operates eighteen Su-30MKMs, all assigned to the 11 Skn "Golden Cobra" at Gong Kedak.

The Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM, Royal Malaysian Air Force) took delivery of two CN235s in VIP configuration. Unfortunately, one (M44-07) crashed in February 2016. This now sole VIP-two three five is assigned to 21 Skn at Subang/Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, better known as RMAF Kuala Lumpur. It is furnished with "58, 1958-2016 We Are One" markings on its tail.

Flying over the Mediterranean Sea

Beautiful UH-1H during its landing at the huge San Isidro base. Eight UH-1H-II, named Super Huey II, were delivered during 2004 to the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana.

Operating Libyan dawn brought deployments to the Mediterranean area. The one at Souda (Crete, Greece) was the most interesting one. The multi-state NATO-led coalition began a military intervention - Operation Unified Protector - in and over Libya. The Qatari Emeri Air Force deployed five Mirage 5EDAs and one 5DDA. This 5EDA of 7sq is seen fully armed with air-to-air missiles. The QEAF only flew Combat Air Patrols (air defence) during the operation, to prevent Libyan military aircraft to take off. They always flew in formation with French Mirage 2000s as Qatar was not used to NATO operations.