Libya - UN no-fly zone - Operations

[RogierV]

According to Belgium Defence forces BAF F-16 carried out first operation today. So I asume they are still at Araxos.

I read rumors they would move to Souda.

Any confirmation on UAE or Qatari deployments?

[Le Addeur noir]

BBC World reported that the Qatar Mirages may be based in Corsica (Solenzara)?.

The general media is generally not that accurate,but maybe Souda Bay is a transit stop for the Qatari jets?.

[Nighthawk]

BBC World reported that the Qatar Mirages may be based in Corsica (Solenzara)?.

The general media is generally not that accurate,but maybe Souda Bay is a transit stop for the Qatari jets?.

And CNN is reporting that UAE is not sending aircraft but just humanitarian aid. Not confirmed elswhere.

[Nighthawk]

BBC World reported that the Qatar Mirages may be based in Corsica (Solenzara)?.

The general media is generally not that accurate,but maybe Souda Bay is a transit stop for the Qatari jets?.

And CNN is reporting that UAE is not sending aircraft but just humanitarian aid. Not confirmed elswhere.

And the Norwegian Defence minister says that de 6 Norwegian F-16s will not fly until it is clear which country is leading the multinational force.

[Arjan]

According to media reports the coalition airforce is currently airborne to put in a few more punches to the Libyan air defense. New reports of heavy explosions and anti aircraft fire are coming trough again.

[asto]

A nice video about the French participation...

http://www.gouvernement.fr/gouvernement ... -mars-2011

[Arjan]

An American General told reporters that on the third night allready less than a half of the missions was flown by US pilots. Clearly implying that the Americans want to hand over the lead as soon as possible and wind down their involvement in this action.

[Thermal]

This quote from The Telegraph about an aborted Tornado strike due to the danger of hitting civilians would suggest there are also SAS troops on the ground in Lybia.

But, just as they made their final approach to the Libyan coast to launch the Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets selected by SAS teams on the ground, the Tornados received information that civilians had been identified close to the target site. If the attack went ahead the civilians might be killed or injured so the order was given to the pilots to abort the mission and return home.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... round.html

[Thijs]

another flight op Marham Tornado's just left the uk. Tanker support out of Brize. Callsigns: ascot 9245 combine, ascot 9653 are the Tornado's.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Thermal]

Several sources report that coalition aircraft engaged a Lybian aircraft that was on it's way to bomb Benghazi.

Outcome is not known

[S&B extra]

Live Blog Libya - Al Jazeera 22mar11 5:05pm Western warplanes attacked a military aircraft belonging to Muammar Gaddafi's armed forces that was flying towards the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

[Arjan]

The Dutch Government has decided to offer the NATO the use of 6 F-16's of which 2 will be spares and the use of a KDC-10. In total a number of 200 military will be involved. Next to the people involved in the operations of the aircraft, those 200 also include staff members at HQ's and the crew of a minesweeper.
These will operate under NATO command to help enforce the weapons embargo on Libya. If NATO agrees on action in the no fly zone, these aircraft may eventually also operate in that role but no sooner.
The F-16's will be committed for 3 months, the KDC-10 up until the 4th of april.

[Thermal]

Does anyone have an idea where the Dutch F-16's will be based? I assume they won't be flying out NL?
Aviano perhaps? they have been there before afterall.

[Rockville]

At 13:00 hrs CET the NL Lower House (2e Kamer) will debate the mission, starting with CDS.
Perhaps then we will know more details.
The debate is open and can be followed via internet.

[Thermal]

A Dutch DoD team is leaving today (wednesday) to the Mediterranean to look for usefull airfields for the F-16's.