Adib Ajib al-Jarf (Arabic: أديب عجيب الجرف) (May 6, 1946 – October 26, 2021) was a Syrian fighter pilot ace and military officer, who was awarded the Hero of the Syrian Arab Republic for shooting down several Israeli aircraft in the 1973 October War.
Adib al-Jarf | |
|---|---|
| Native name | أديب الجرف |
| Born | May 6, 1946 Salamiyah, Syria |
| Died | October 26, 2021 Salamiyah |
| Cause of death | Complications from COVID-19 |
| Allegiance |  Syria |
| Service/ |  Syrian Arab Air Force |
| Years of service | 1964–1990s |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | October War |
| Awards | Hero of the Syrian Arab Republic Order of Civil Merit |
Career
editAdib al-Jarf was born in Salamiyah in 1946. He joined the Kuweires Military Aviation Institute and served in the Air Force as a combat pilot in the combat aviation branch on the Soviet MiG-21 fighter.[1]
He began his service with the rank of pilot officer student in 1964 and retired with the rank of brigadier general. In the October War, he shot down seven Israeli planes: two French-made Mirage jets and five F-4 Phantom planes. One of the planes was shot down over Ramlet al-Baida in the Lebanese capital Beirut, and another on the road to Bikfaya. During his service, he received several medals, including the coveted Hero of the Syrian Arab Republic & the Order of Civil Merit of the Syrian Arab Republic.[2]
Al-Jarf is also noted to be the youngest individual to reach a flag officer rank in the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.[citation needed]
Later life
editAl-Jarf later passed away from COVID-19 in his hometown of Salamiya in 2021.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Pilot, Adeeb Al-Jarf, the hero of the October Liberation War who shot down 7 Israeli planes, passes away". Syrian Times. 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ ""أديب الجرف"... طائرة بسبع طائرات". www.esyria.sy (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "وفاة العميد أديب الجرف أصغر عميد بتاريخ الجيش العربي السوري تفاصيل - …". archive.ph. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2024-07-26.