The Mauritanian Air Force (which played only a minor role in the Western Sahara Conflict) numbered 150 men in 1987, and its combat capabilities were minimal (see table 5, Appendix). The highest ranking officer was a colonel. Because the air force lacked defensive capabilities, French troops from neighboring Senegal assisted with aerial surveillance and bombing raids during the Western Sahara war. At any one time, most aircraft were grounded because of mechanical failure, lack of spare parts, and general maintenance problems. Air strips were located at 'Ayoûn el 'Atroûs, Akjoujt, Atar, Fdérik, Bir Moghreïn, Kaédi, Kiffa, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, and Rosso.
Data as of June 1988