Operation Unified Protector was a
NATO operation in 2011 enforcing
United Nations Security Council resolutions 1970
Events
January
* January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC.
* January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
and
1973
Events January
* January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union.
* January 15 – Vietnam War: Citing progress in peace negotiations, U.S. ...
concerning the
Libyan Civil War and adopted on 26 February and 17 March 2011, respectively. These resolutions imposed sanctions on key members of the
Gaddafi government and authorized NATO to implement an
arms embargo
An arms embargo is a restriction or a set of sanctions that applies either solely to weaponry or also to "dual-use technology." An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:
* to signal disapproval of the behavior of a certain actor
* to maintain ...
, a
no-fly zone and to use all means necessary, short of foreign
occupation, to protect Libyan civilians and civilian populated areas.
[ United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973]
The operation started on 23 March 2011 and gradually expanded during the following weeks, by integrating more and more elements of the multinational
military intervention, which had started on 19 March in response to the same UN resolutions. As of 31 March 2011 it encompassed all international operations in
Libya. NATO support was vital to the rebel victory over the forces loyal to Gaddafi. The operation officially ended on 31 October 2011, after the rebel leaders, formalized in the
National Transitional Council, had declared Libya liberated on 23 October.
The operation began with a naval arms embargo, while command of the
no-fly zone and the air strikes against
Libyan Armed Forces
, image =
, alt =
, caption =
, image2 =
, alt2 =
, caption2 =
, motto =
, founded =
, current_form = 2014 (Libyan National ...
remained under command of the international coalition, led by
France, the
United Kingdom and the
United States, due to lack of consensus between NATO members.
[http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/unified-protector-arms-embargo-factsheet.pdf NATO arms embargo fact sheet] On 24 March NATO decided to take control of the
no-fly zone enforcement, by integrating the air assets of the international coalition under NATO command, although the command of air strikes on ground targets remained under national authority.
[http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/unified-protector-no-fly-zone.pdf NATO no fly zone fact sheet] A few days later, on 27 March NATO decided to implement all military aspects of the UN resolution and formal transfer of command occurred at 06:00
GMT on 31 March 2011, formally ending the national operations such as the U.S.-coordinated
Operation Odyssey Dawn
Operation Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. code name for the American role in the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued aft ...
.
[http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_04/20110407_unified-protector-protection-civilians.pdf NATO protection of civilians fact sheet]
The arms embargo was initially carried out using mainly ships from NATO's
Standing Maritime Group 1 and
Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1 already patrolling the
Mediterranean Sea at the time of the resolution, enforced with additional ships, submarines and maritime surveillance aircraft from NATO members. They were to "monitor, report and, if needed,
interdict vessels suspected of carrying
illegal arms or
mercenaries
A mercenary, sometimes also known as a soldier of fortune or hired gun, is a private individual, particularly a soldier, that joins a military conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any o ...
". The no-fly zone was enforced by aircraft transferred to Unified Protector from the international coalition, with additional aircraft from NATO and other allied nations. The air strikes, although under central NATO command, were only conducted by aircraft of the nations agreeing to enforce this part of the UN resolution.
Background
Libyan conflict
With Operation Unified Protector, NATO is involved in an internal Libyan conflict, between those seeking to depose the country's long-time national leader
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi, . Due to the lack of standardization of transcribing written and regionally pronounced Arabic, Gaddafi's name has been romanized in various ways. A 1986 column by ''The Straight Dope'' lists 32 spellin ...
and pro-Gaddafi forces. The conflict began as a series of non-peaceful disorders, part of the broader
Arab Spring movement, which Gaddafi's security services attempted to repress, but which soon developed into a widespread uprising.
The situation further escalated into armed conflict, with rebels establishing a provisional government named the
National Transitional Council based in eastern city of
Benghazi
Benghazi () , ; it, Bengasi; tr, Bingazi; ber, Bernîk, script=Latn; also: ''Bengasi'', ''Benghasi'', ''Banghāzī'', ''Binghāzī'', ''Bengazi''; grc, Βερενίκη (''Berenice'') and ''Hesperides''., group=note (''lit. Son of he Ghazi ...
and controlling the eastern part of the country and the western city of
Misrata
Misrata ( ; also spelled Misurata or Misratah; ar, مصراتة, Miṣrāta ) is a city in the Misrata District in northwestern Libya, situated to the east of Tripoli and west of Benghazi on the Mediterranean coast near Cape Misrata. With ...
. The
International Criminal Court warned Gaddafi that he and members of his government may have committed crimes against humanity. The
United Nations Security Council passed an initial
resolution 1970
Events
January
* January 1 – Unix time epoch reached at 00:00:00 UTC.
* January 5 – The 7.1 Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity scale, Mercalli intensity of X (''Extrem ...
, freezing the assets of
Gaddafi and ten members of his inner circle, and restricting their travel. The resolution also referred the actions of the government to the
International Criminal Court for investigation.
In early March, Gaddafi's forces rallied, pushed eastwards and re-took several coastal cities and finally began attacking the rebel stronghold of
Benghazi
Benghazi () , ; it, Bengasi; tr, Bingazi; ber, Bernîk, script=Latn; also: ''Bengasi'', ''Benghasi'', ''Banghāzī'', ''Binghāzī'', ''Bengazi''; grc, Βερενίκη (''Berenice'') and ''Hesperides''., group=note (''lit. Son of he Ghazi ...
on 19 March 2011. Two days earlier a second U.N. resolution,
UNSC Resolution 1973, was passed which authorized member states to establish and enforce an arms embargo, a no-fly zone over Libya and to use all means necessary, short of foreign
occupation, to protect Libyan civilians.
In response to the resolution, the Gaddafi government announced a ceasefire, but failed to uphold it and continued to advance on the rebels and the
Second Battle of Benghazi began.
International intervention
In response to the U.N. resolution, voted on 17 March 2011, an international coalition was established and naval and air forces were quickly deployed in and around the
Mediterranean Sea. Two days later, on 19 March, France intervened in the imminent
Second Battle of Benghazi with air strikes on Gaddafi armor and troops and eventually forced them back. On the same day 110
Tomahawk cruise missiles
The Tomahawk () Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile that is primarily used by the United States Navy and Royal Navy in ship and submarine-based land-attack operations.
Under contract fr ...
were launched from UK and US ships, further air strikes against ground targets were executed and a naval blockade was established. The initial coalition consisted of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Qatar, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The official names for the interventions by the coalition members are
Opération Harmattan by France;
Operation Ellamy
Operation Ellamy was the codename for the United Kingdom participation in the 2011 military intervention in Libya. The operation was part of an international coalition aimed at enforcing a Libyan no-fly zone in accordance with the United Nation ...
by the United Kingdom;
Operation Mobile for the Canadian participation and
Operation Odyssey Dawn
Operation Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. code name for the American role in the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued aft ...
for the United States.
The U.S. initially coordinated the effort and took strategic and tactical command at
UCC USAFRICOM, led by
Carter Ham, and the Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, led by
Samuel J. Locklear aboard the
command ship , respectively. From there on command was split between the air and naval components of the operation at which level the different participating countries commanded their assets in accordance with their
rules of engagement and through
liaison officers.
After the initial intervention, the U.S. wanted to scale down their involvement significantly to a supporting role. Due to lack of consensus within
NATO, the only other body capable of commanding a multinational operation of this size, however, this was not possible immediately. As consensus grew during the next days, NATO took more and more parts of the operation under its command until taking command of all military operations on 31 March.
Command structure
Political direction is provided by the
North Atlantic Council to the
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. The chain of command is from
Supreme Allied Commander Europe
The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is the commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Allied Command Operations (ACO) and head of ACO's headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). The commander is ...
, Admiral
James G. Stavridis
James George Stavridis (born February 15, 1955) is a retired United States Navy admiral, currently Vice Chair, Global Affairs and Managing Director of the global investment firm the Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rocke ...
(US Navy), to the Deputy Commander of
Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Lt. General
Charles Bouchard (
Royal Canadian Air Force) acting as operational commander. From the operational level, command is further delegated to the Commander of Allied Maritime Command Naples, Vice Admiral
Rinaldo Veri (Italian Navy) for the naval operations and Commander of Allied Air Command Izmir, Lieutenant General
Ralph J. Jodice II
Lieutenant-General Ralph J. Jodice II (born 1955) is a retired United States Air Force general and a former Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command at Izmir, Turkey. He was also the Air Component Commander for Operation Unified Protector, NAT ...
(US Air Force) for air operations.
Deployed forces
Allied Maritime Command
*
Belgian Naval Component
The Belgian Navy, officially the Belgian Naval Component ( nl, Marinecomponent; french: Composante marine; german: Marinekomponente ) of the Belgian Armed Forces, is the naval service of Belgium.
History Early history
The Belgian Navy w ...
**
''Narcis'', a (Operational from 23 March 2011 until 24 July 2011)
**
''Lobelia'', a (Operational from 12 August 2011)
*
Bulgarian Navy
** , a
*
Canadian Forces
**
Royal Canadian Navy
*** , a (transferred from
Operation MOBILE, operational until 18 August 2011)
*** , a (operational from 18 August 2011)
*** 1 ×
CH-124 Sea King anti-submarine helicopter
*
French Navy (transferred from
Opération Harmattan)
** Landing helicopter dock
''Tonnerre'' (L9014)
*** 14 ×
Aérospatiale Gazelle
*** 4 ×
Eurocopter Tiger
The Eurocopter Tiger is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter), which arose from the merger of Aérospatiale's and DASA's respective he ...
*** 2 ×
Eurocopter Puma
Airbus Helicopters SAS (formerly Eurocopter Group) is the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus. It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries. Its head office is located at Marseille Provence ...
** 2 × Atlantique 2 signals intelligence aircraft based at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy
**
Task Force 473
The ''Force d'action navale'' (FAN, Naval Action Force) is the 9,600-man and about 100-ship force of surface warships of the French Navy. As of 2018, it is commanded by Vice-Amiral d’Escadre Jean-Philippe Rolland.
The ships are divided into s ...
*** Aircraft carrier
''Charles de Gaulle'' (R91)
**** 10 ×
Rafale M
The Dassault Rafale (, literally meaning "gust of wind", and "burst of fire" in a more military sense) is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range ...
fighters
**** 6 ×
Super-Etendard strike aircraft
**** 2 ×
E-2C airborne early warning aircraft
**** 2 ×
Dauphin multipurpose helicopters
**** 2 ×
Alouette III
Alouette or alouettes may refer to:
Music and literature
* "Alouette" (song), a French-language children's song
* Alouette, a character in ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar''
Aerospace
* SNCASE Alouette, a utility helicopter developed in France i ...
utility helicopters
****
French Air Force
The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Army; ...
detachment of a
Puma
Puma or PUMA may refer to:
Animals
* ''Puma'' (genus), a genus in the family Felidae
** Puma (species) or cougar, a large cat
Businesses and organisations
* Puma (brand), a multinational shoe and sportswear company
* Puma Energy, a mid- and d ...
and 2 ×
Caracal transport helicopters
*** Anti-air frigate
''Jean Bart'' (D615) (until 2 April 2011)
*** Frigate
''Dupleix'' (D641)
*** Frigate
''Aconit'' (F713)
*** Frigate
''Chevalier Paul'' (D621)
*** Frigate
''Georges Leygues'' (D640)
*** Frigate
''Courbet'' (F712) (Returned to France)
*** Replenishment tanker (A607)
*** Nuclear attack submarine
''Améthyste'' (S605)
*
Hellenic Navy
The Hellenic Navy (HN; el, Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, War Navy, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy historically hails from the naval forces of vari ...
** , an
*
Italian Navy
"Fatherland and Honour"
, patron =
, colors =
, colors_label =
, march = ( is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a ...
**
''Giuseppe Garibaldi'' aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Typically, it is the capital ship of a fleet, as it allows a ...
*** 8 ×
AV-8B Harrier II V/STOL ground-attack aircraft
An attack aircraft, strike aircraft, or attack bomber is a tactical military aircraft that has a primary role of carrying out airstrikes with greater precision than bombers, and is prepared to encounter strong low-level air defenses while pres ...
*** 4 ×
AW101 Merlin
The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requiremen ...
anti-submarine warfare helicopters
***
Boarding
Boarding may refer to:
*Boarding, used in the sense of "room and board", i.e. lodging and meals as in a:
** Boarding house
**Boarding school
*Boarding (horses) (also known as a livery yard, livery stable, or boarding stable), is a stable where ho ...
teams from the
San Marco Regiment
**
''Andrea Doria'', a
** ''Libeccio'', a
**
''Etna'', an
''Etna''-class auxiliary ship
** ''Comandante Borsini'' and ''Comandante Bettica'', two
Comandanti-class patrol vessels
*
Royal Netherlands Navy
The Royal Netherlands Navy ( nl, Koninklijke Marine, links=no) is the naval force of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
During the 17th century, the navy of the Dutch Republic (1581–1795) was one of the most powerful naval forces in the world an ...
** HNLMS ''Haarlem'', an
''Alkmaar''-class minehunter until 23 September
** HNLMS ''Vlaardingen'', an
''Alkmaar''-class minehunter
*
Romanian Navy
** ''
''Regele Ferdinand'''', a
Type 22 frigate
*
Spanish Armed Forces
The Spanish Armed Forces are in charge of guaranteeing the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Spain, defending its territorial integrity and the constitutional order, according to the functions entrusted to them by the Constitution o ...
**
Spanish Navy
*** , an
***
''Tramontana'', an
*
Turkish Navy
**
TCG ''Giresun'', a
G-class frigate
**
TCG ''Gemlik'', a
G-class frigate
** TCG ''Yıldırım'', a
** TCG ''Yıldıray'', a
Type 209 submarine
** TCG ''Akar'', a fleet support ship
*
Royal Navy
** ()
** (
Hunt-class minesweeper)
** (
Landing platform helicopter) (From 27 May 2011).
[Apaches get ready to help protect Libyan civilians - Announcements - GOV.UK](_blank)
Mod.uk (27 May 2011). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
** (
landing platform dock)
** (
Type 42 destroyer) (Replaced HMS ''Cumberland'' from 9 April)
** (
Type 23 frigate)
** (
Type 23 frigate)
** (Stores ship)
** (Tanker)
** ()
** ()
*
United States Navy
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** (
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ()
** ( cruise missile submarine)
*
United States Marine Corps
**
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) is one of seven such units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. It is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. They are currently based out of M ...
(Embarked aboard ,
''Whidbey Island'', and )
***
Battalion Landing Team- 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment
**** Company E (Mechanized Company, USS Whidbey Island)
***** 1st Platoon, Company C,
2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion
2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the Amphibious Assault Vehicle. The battalion is a separate battalion within the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine ...
(formerly 3d Plt, Company D) (Amphibious Assault Vehicle)
***** Tank Platoon,
2nd Tank Battalion
The 2nd Tank Battalion (2nd Tanks) was an armored battalion of the United States Marine Corps which was based out of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It fell under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Exp ...
(M1A1 Abrams Tanks)
**** Company F (Helo Company, USS Bataan)
**** Company G (Truck Company, USS Mesa Verde)
**** Battery L,
3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment (155mm Artillery and 120mm Mortars)
**** LAR Platoon,
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a fast and mobilized armored terrestrial reconnaissance battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the 8-wheeled LAV-25 and they fall under the command of the 2nd Ma ...
(Light Armored Vehicles)
**** Recon Platoon,
2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
The 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd Recon) is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. Located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the battalion falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Ma ...
***
Combat Logistics Battalion 22
***
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM 263) (Reinforced) (MV-22B, CH-53E, AV-8B, AH-1W, UH-1N, KC-130J)
****
Det Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14
**** Det
Marine Aviation Logistis Squadron 26
**** Det C Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 252 (C-130)
**** Det A Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 452 (C-130)
**** Det A Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron 352 (C-130)
Allied Air Command
*
Turkish Air Force
** 6 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16C/D Block 40 fighter aircraft operating from
NAS Sigonella
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
, Italy
** 1 ×
KC-135R
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an American military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. It is the predominant variant of the C-135 Stratolifter family of transport ...
aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft (the tanker) to another (the receiver) while both aircraft a ...
aircraft
*
Belgian Air Component
** 6 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
AM 15MLU fighter aircraft operating from
Araxos Air Base, Greece
*
Royal Canadian Air Force
** 6 ×
CF-18 Hornet multirole fighter jets operating from
Trapani Air Base, Italy
** 2 ×
CC-17 Globemaster strategic transport aircraft
** 2 ×
CC-130J Hercules tactical transport aircraft operating from
Trapani Air Base, Italy
** 2 ×
CC-150 Polaris
The Airbus CC-150 Polaris is the designation for the civilian Airbus A310-300s which have been converted into multi-purpose, long-range jet aircraft for passenger, freight or medical transport and mid-air refueling for the Royal Canadian Air ...
air-to-air refueling tankers operating from
Trapani Air Base, Italy
** 2 ×
CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft operating from
Sigonella Air Base
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
, Italy
**
Joint Task Force 2 (
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command)
*
Royal Danish Air Force
** 6 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
AM 15MLU fighter jets operating from
Sigonella Air Base
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
, Italy
** 1 x
C-130J-30 tactical transport aircraft
*
French Air Force
The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Army; ...
(transferred from
Opération Harmattan)
** 8 ×
Rafale fighters
** 8 ×
Mirage 2000-5 fighters
** 6 ×
Mirage 2000D fighter-bombers
** 2 ×
Mirage F1CR reconnaissance aircraft
** 6 ×
C135 aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft (the tanker) to another (the receiver) while both aircraft a ...
aircraft
** 1 x
E-3F AWACS aircraft
** 1 x
C-160G SIGINT electronic surveillance aircraft
**
Commando Parachutiste de l'Air companies
20 and
30 forward deployed to
Solenzara Air Base, Corsica
*
Hellenic Air Force
** 4 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
fighter jets
** 1 x
Embraer R-99 early warning and control aircraft
*
Italian Air Force
** 4 x
Tornado ECR
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany. There are three primary Tornado variants: the Tornado IDS (inter ...
SEAD aircraft operating from
Trapani Air Base
** 4 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
fighter jets
** 4 x
Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets operating from
Trapani Air Base
** 4 x
Panavia Tornado IDS, operating from
Trapani Air Base, began attacking military targets in Libya with
Storm Shadow missiles and JDAM and Paveway smart bombs on 28 April
** 4 x
AMX Ghibli fighter jets operating since 25 July
*
**
E-3 airborne early warning and control
Airborne or Airborn may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Films
* ''Airborne'' (1962 film), a 1962 American film directed by James Landis
* ''Airborne'' (1993 film), a comedy–drama film
* ''Airborne'' (1998 film), an action film sta ...
(AWACS) aircraft
operating from
Forward Operating Base Trapani
*
Royal Netherlands Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = ''Parade March of the Royal Netherlands Air Force''
, mascot =
, anniversaries =
, equipment ...
** 6 ×
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
AM 15MLU multi-role fighter jets operating from
Decimomannu Air Base
Decimomannu Air Base is an Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare'') air base located approximately north of Decimomannu a ''comune'' in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
It is a military airport located northwest ...
, Italy
** 1 ×
McDonnel Douglas KDC-10 aerial refuelling aircraft, until 4 April
*
Royal Norwegian Air Force
** 6 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
AM 15MLU fighter jets operating from
Souda Air Base
Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" is an international airport located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete, serving the city of Chania, away. It is a gateway to western Crete for an increasing numb ...
,
Crete (until July 2011)
** 2 x
C-130J-30 tactical transport aircraft supporting the Norwegian forces. (until July 2011)
*
Qatar Emiri Air Force
** Six
Mirage 2000-5EDA fighters jets operating from
Souda Air Base
Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" is an international airport located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete, serving the city of Chania, away. It is a gateway to western Crete for an increasing numb ...
, Crete
** Two
C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft
*
Spanish Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Spanish Air and Space Force Anthem
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 10 December
, equipment ...
** 4 x
EF-18AM Hornet fighters jets operating from
Decimomannu Air Base
Decimomannu Air Base is an Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare'') air base located approximately north of Decimomannu a ''comune'' in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
It is a military airport located northwest ...
, Italy.
** 1 x
KC-130H Hercules Tanker Aircraft operating from
Decimomannu Air Base
Decimomannu Air Base is an Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare'') air base located approximately north of Decimomannu a ''comune'' in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
It is a military airport located northwest ...
, Italy
** 1 x
Boeing 707-331B(KC) tanker aircraft*** 1 x
CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft
*
Royal Swedish Air Force
** 5 (reduced from 8)
JAS 39C Gripen fighter jets operating from
Sigonella Air Base
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
, Italy
** 1 x
Lockheed Tp-84T C-130 Hercules configured as aerial tanker
** 1 x
S 102B Korpen SIGINT aircraft based on
Gulfstream IV business Jet
*
United Arab Emirates Air Force
** 6 x
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
E/F Block 60 Falcon fighter jets operating from
Decimomannu Air Base
Decimomannu Air Base is an Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare'') air base located approximately north of Decimomannu a ''comune'' in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
It is a military airport located northwest ...
, Italy
** 6 x
Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets operating from
Decimomannu Air Base
Decimomannu Air Base is an Italian Air Force (''Aeronautica Militare'') air base located approximately north of Decimomannu a ''comune'' in the Province of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
It is a military airport located northwest ...
, Italy
*
Royal Air Force
** 16
Panavia Tornado GR4A
** 8 (originally 10)
Eurofighter Typhoons operating from
Gioia del Colle Air Base
Gioia del Colle Air Base is an Italian Air Force ( Aeronautica Militare) base located in the province of Bari, Apulia, Italy, located approximately 1 km south-southeast of Gioia del Colle.
World War II
During World War II the air base was ...
, Italy
** 2
Vickers VC-10 tanker aircraft
** 2
AgustaWestland Lynx HMA.8 from the Royal Navy (
Fleet Air Arm)
** 4
AgustaWestland Apache attached from the
Army Air Corps
** 3
Sentry AEW.1 surveillance aircraft
** 1
Raytheon Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft
*
Royal Jordanian Air Force
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF; ar, سلاح الجو الملكي الأردني, Silāḥ ul-Jawu al-Malakī 'al-Urdunī) is the aerial warfare branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
History
Early days
Jordan gained independence in 19 ...
** 6 x
F-16 MLU fighter jets operating from
Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base ( it, Base aerea di Aviano) is a base in northeastern Italy, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It is located in the Aviano municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps or Southern Carnic Alps, about from Pordenone.
Th ...
, Italy
*
United States Air Force
**
77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (
haw, AFB
**
313th Air Expeditionary Wing
The 313th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional unit of the United States Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA), Seventeenth Air Force. It was last stationed at Moron Air Base, Spain.
History Organization and Berlin Airlift
The wing was first organ ...
(
Moron AB, Spain)
** Included
KC-10A,
KC-135R
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an American military aerial refueling aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. It is the predominant variant of the C-135 Stratolifter family of transport ...
,
EC-130J
The Lockheed Martin EC-130 series comprises several slightly different versions of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules that have been and continue to be operated by the U.S. Air Force and, until the 1990s, the U.S. Navy.
The EC-130E Airborne Battle ...
Psychological Warfare aircraft,
E-8,
E-3,and
U-2S reconnaissance aircraft,
F-15 and
F-16
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it ...
fighter aircraft, and
MQ-1 Predator(Operated by the USAF & RAF).
*
United States Navy
** US Navy
P-3C aircraft operating from
NAS Sigonella
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella is an Italian Air Force base ('' it, Aeroporto "Cosimo Di Palma" di Sigonella''), and a U.S. Navy installation at Italian Air Force Base Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. The whole NAS is a tenant of the Italian Air ...
*
United States Marine Corps
**
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 (VMAQ-1) operating from
Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base ( it, Base aerea di Aviano) is a base in northeastern Italy, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It is located in the Aviano municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps or Southern Carnic Alps, about from Pordenone.
Th ...
, Italy
Contributions and expenses by country
* USA: from 1 April to 22 August, the US flew 5,316 sorties over Libya, including 1,210 strike sorties, with munitions deployed 262 times.
By 31 July, the US had spent
US$896 million in the conflict.
* UK: By 12 July, the UK had spent about €136 million on operations in Libya.
* Denmark: Royal Danish Air Force F-16 fighters flew their first mission over Libya on 20 March and their last on 31 October 2011, a total of 600 sorties dropping 923 bombs, equaling 12,1% of the total number dropped during the conflict.
By 31 October, Denmark had spent a total of 620 million DKK (approx. €77.5 million) on operations in Libya, of which 297 million DKK (approx. €37.1 million) would have been spent on training anyway.
* Norway:
Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters flew daily missions, and as of the end of July 2011, when Norway ceased its participation in military operations, the Air Force had dropped 588
bombs during the conflict and flown 615
sorties (about 17% of the sorties to that point).
* Italy: by 31 October, the Italian Air Force had dropped 710 bombs including approximately 30 Storm Shadow missiles during the conflict.
See also
*
UNSMIL
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is a United Nations (UN) advanced mission in Libya, created in the aftermath of the Libyan Civil War. UNSMIL is a political mission, not a military mission. The main elements of its mandate def ...
References
External links
NATO page about operations in Libya"Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR Command and Control"– North Atlantic Treaty Organization website
"Commando Solo PSYOP/MISO Radio Broadcasting in Libya, 2011" – PsyWar.Org website
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Libya: Reviewing Operation Unified ProtectorStrategic Studies Institute
The Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) is the U.S. Army's institute for strategic and national security research and analysis. It is part of the U.S. Army War College. SSI conducts strategic research and analysis to support the U.S. Army War Co ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unified Protector
Conflicts in 2011
Foreign intervention in the First Libyan Civil War
International security
Military operations involving NATO
Military operations involving Canada
Military operations involving Denmark
Military operations involving France
Military operations involving Greece
Military operations involving Italy
Military operations involving the Netherlands
Military operations involving Norway
Military operations involving Spain
Military operations involving Turkey
Military operations involving the United Kingdom
Military operations involving the United States
No-fly zone operations
Canada–Libya military relations
France–Libya military relations
Italy–Libya military relations
Libya–United Kingdom military relations
Libya–United States military relations
es:Operación Protector Unificado