- UK Air Power in Operation Unified Protector, Libya 2011
Article
CID:
- 180896
Authors:
- Ritchie, Sebastian
Publication Date:
- 01 November 2018
Journal Title:
- Air Power Review
Volume Number:
- 21
Issue number:
- 3
Page Numbers:
- Pages 82 - 105
Language:
- English
Abstract:
- Operation Unified Protector (UK designation: Operation Ellamy) was the seven- month campaign waged against the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in Libya by a coalition of NATO and allied states through the imposition of a no-fly zone and a naval arms embargo. The operation was launched at short notice in response to regime efforts to suppress the rebellion that engulfed Libya in 2011. Ultimately, UK fixed and rotary- wing aircraft flew some 3,000 sorties on Unified Protector out of a coalition total of 26,320, including 2,100 strike sorties directed at 640 targets. This study summarises the Air Historical Branch narrative of Unified Protector and considers the RAF’s contribution to the broader coalition air effort. It also corrects some of the errors and misconceptions that have crept into earlier histories of the operation.
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