Op Ellamy update 2-10 April 2011

UK activities over and close to Libya

UK Royal Air Force aircraft are continuing to provide support for NATO's Operation Unified Protector to protect Libyan civilians and enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973, and Royal Navy vessels are offshore.

(Typhoon on patrol. Crown copyright)

Saturday 2nd April, RAF Tornado aircraft conducting a series of armed air reconnaissance and over watch patrols over Libya, launched Paveway IV missiles against military assets of pro-Gadaffi forces. Two Main Battle Tanks in Sirte and several small ground-attack aircraft on an airfield near Misrata were hit.
Sunday 3rd April, RAF Tornados again successfully launched attacks with Paveway IV alongside Brimstone missiles to target a group of 10 armoured fighting vehicles south of Sirte.

Monday 4th April Tornado GR4 aircraft deployed from Gioia del Colle engaged in two separate strikes near Sirte when they launched 3 Brimstone missiles which hit one Main Battle Tank and two surface-to-air missile launchers.

Four additional RAF Tornado aircraft are deploying to bolster the UK's ground attack capability in support of the NATO operation. The first two arrived yesterday with the further two arriving later today.
Two of the original deployment of 10 RAF Typhoons, which have been held in reserve to police the No Fly Zone, have now returned to the UK. The return of these aircraft does not affect the UK contribution to NATO's enforcement of the No Fly Zone.

Tuesday 5 April - a number of Paveway IV and Brimstone missiles were launched at military targets in the areas of Misratah and Sirte. A total of 12 targets were hit – six armoured fighting vehicles and six battle tanks.
Two Typhoon aircraft also flew from Gioia del Colle to police the No Fly Zone. Two RAF VC10 aircraft supported these operations providing air to air refuelling.

In agreement with NATO, the UK agreed to move four RAF Typhoons from an air defence role, policing the No Fly Zone, to a ground attack role – further bolstering NATO's ground attack capability. This follows the deployment of four additional RAF Tornados announced earlier this week. The UK currently has 16 Ground Attack aircraft under NATO command which meets NATO's current requirements.

As a result the total number of UK fast jets deployed in Southern Italy, including those under UK command on standby to support operations, currently stands at 20.