Jump to content

Operation Ellamy: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Gp324 (talk | contribs)
30 edits
Gp324 (talk | contribs)
30 edits
Add references
Line 54: Line 54:
The Royal Navy also has two [[Type 23 frigate]]s ([[HMS Cumberland (F85)|HMS ''Cumberland'']] and [[HMS Westminster (F237)|HMS ''Westminster'']]) engaged in a naval blockade.
The Royal Navy also has two [[Type 23 frigate]]s ([[HMS Cumberland (F85)|HMS ''Cumberland'']] and [[HMS Westminster (F237)|HMS ''Westminster'']]) engaged in a naval blockade.


[[David Cameron]], Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, confirmed that British aircraft were in action over Libya on the 19th,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12796972|accessdate=19 March 2011|title=Libya: Coalition launches attacks from air and sea|work=[[BBC News]]|date=19 March 2011}}</ref> however it was the [[French Air Force]] that had mainly enforced an aerial presence over Libya on the 19 March rather than the [[Royal Air Force]].
[[David Cameron]], Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, confirmed that British aircraft were in action over Libya on the 19th,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12796972|accessdate=19 March 2011|title=Libya: Coalition launches attacks from air and sea|work=[[BBC News]]|date=19 March 2011}}</ref> however it was the [[French Air Force]] that had mainly enforced an aerial presence over Libya on the 19 March rather than the [[Royal Air Force]].


Sentry, Sentinel and VC-10 aircraft were said to be carrying out operations from [[RAF Akrotiri]] in Cyprus.<ref>{{cite|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/LibyaUpdate.htm|accessdate=20 March 2011|title=MOD News: Libya Update|work=[[MoD]]|date=20 March 2011}}</ref>
⚫
On the night of 19-20 March 2011, several [[Storm Shadow]] missiles were launched.<ref>[http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1627376.php/British-jets-fired-on-Libyan-targets "British jets fired on Libyan targets"] Mar 20, 2011 monstersandcritics.com (c) ''Deutsche Press Agentur''</ref> It has been reported that Sentry and Sentinel aircraft have been deployed. Operations are being carried out from bases in Great Britain ([[RAF Marham]] and [[RAF Coningsby]] in England and [[RAF Lossiemouth]] in Scotland) and [[RAF Akrotiri]] Cyprus.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}</ref>

⚫
On the night of 19-20 March 2011, several [[Storm Shadow]] missiles were launched.<ref>[http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1627376.php/British-jets-fired-on-Libyan-targets "British jets fired on Libyan targets"] Mar 20, 2011 monstersandcritics.com (c) ''Deutsche Press Agentur''</ref> Operations are being carried out from bases in Great Britain ([[RAF Marham]] and [[RAF Coningsby]] in England and [[RAF Lossiemouth]] in Scotland).{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}</ref>


Tornados of [[No. 9 Squadron RAF|No. 9 Squadron]] from RAF Marham had sortied on a {{convert|3000|mi|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} mission to fire Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Libya. They required refuelling by British tanker aircraft three times on the outward journey and once on the return. They will be moved to a forward base in Italy to be closer for any further missions.<ref>{{cite |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/target_libya_raf_reveals_marham_jets_3_000_mile_mission_as_aircraft_prepare_to_deploy_to_italy_1_835355 |title=TARGET LIBYA: RAF reveals Marham jets’ 3,000-mile mission, as aircraft prepare to deploy to Italy |date=March 20, 2011 |work=edp24.co.uk }}</ref>
Tornados of [[No. 9 Squadron RAF|No. 9 Squadron]] from RAF Marham had sortied on a {{convert|3000|mi|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} mission to fire Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Libya. They required refuelling by British tanker aircraft three times on the outward journey and once on the return. They will be moved to a forward base in Italy to be closer for any further missions.<ref>{{cite |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/target_libya_raf_reveals_marham_jets_3_000_mile_mission_as_aircraft_prepare_to_deploy_to_italy_1_835355 |title=TARGET LIBYA: RAF reveals Marham jets’ 3,000-mile mission, as aircraft prepare to deploy to Italy |date=March 20, 2011 |work=edp24.co.uk }}</ref>

Revision as of 23:47, 20 March 2011

Operation Ellamy
Part of Coalition intervention in Libya

A Eurofighter Typhoon from the RAF
Date19 March 2011 – ongoing
Location
Libya
Belligerents
 United Kingdom  Libya
Commanders and leaders

United Kingdom David Cameron
United Kingdom General Sir David Richards
United Kingdom Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton
United Kingdom Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach

[1][2]		 Libya Muammar al-Gaddafi
Strength
See Deployed Forces Unknown
Casualties and losses
None Multiple air force defences severely disabled.[citation needed]
Unknown, unverified claim by Gaddafi-controlled Libyan state media of 48 civilians killed, 150 wounded as a result of all UN operations[3][dubious – discuss]
Coalition forces have not reported any casualties on either side.

Operation Ellamy is the codename for the United Kingdom participation in the Libyan no-fly zone.[4] The operation is part of an international coalition aimed at enforcing a Libyan no-fly zone in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 which stipulated that "all neccessary measures" shall be taken to protect civilians.[5] The United States' counterpart to this is Operation Odyssey Dawn, the Canadian counterpart is Operation MOBILE and the French counterpart is Opération Harmattan.

The no-fly zone was proposed during the 2011 Libyan uprising to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on rebel forces. Several countries have prepared to take immediate military action at a conference in Paris on 19 March, 2011.[6]

The operation is planned to include Eurofighter Typhoon and Panavia Tornado combat aircraft, as well as Sentry AEW.1, Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft and Tristar air-to-air refuelling aircraft.[7] A UK Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.[8]

Background to operation

The UN Security Council Resolution 1973 passed on the evening of 17 March 2011 gave a mandate to countries wishing to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya militarily. A conference involving international leaders took place in Paris on the afternoon of Saturday 19 March 2011.[9] International military action commenced after the conference finished, with French military fighter jets being the first to participate in the operation only a few hours after the conference finished in Paris with the first shot fired at 1645 GMT against a Libyan tank.[10]

Deployed Forces[2]

Summary of operation

  • Day 1: 19 March 2011

On the afternoon of 19 March, the Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Triumph[15] fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.[16] A combined total along with US over the day was reported by the US to be over 110 missiles.[17] The Royal Navy also has two Type 23 frigates (HMS Cumberland and HMS Westminster) engaged in a naval blockade.

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, confirmed that British aircraft were in action over Libya on the 19th,[18] however it was the French Air Force that had mainly enforced an aerial presence over Libya on the 19 March rather than the Royal Air Force.

Sentry, Sentinel and VC-10 aircraft were said to be carrying out operations from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.[19]

On the night of 19-20 March 2011, several Storm Shadow missiles were launched.[20] Operations are being carried out from bases in Great Britain (RAF Marham and RAF Coningsby in England and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland).[citation needed]</ref>

Tornados of No. 9 Squadron from RAF Marham had sortied on a 3,000 mi (4,800 km) mission to fire Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Libya. They required refuelling by British tanker aircraft three times on the outward journey and once on the return. They will be moved to a forward base in Italy to be closer for any further missions.[21]

  • Day 2: 20 March 2011

The MoD announced that Tornado and Typhoon aircraft would be deployed to the Italian airbase of Gioia Dell Colle [22]

Military equipment used

Military action commenced on 19 March 2011 with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force participating.

Royal Navy

Warships and submarines of the Royal Navy used in Operation Ellamy
HMS Westminster (F237)
HMS Cumberland (F85)
Royal Navy Trafalgar class submarine

Royal Air Force

Combat aircraft used in Operation Ellamy
A military aircraft flying with weapons beneath its wings
Tornado GR4
Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon
Surveillance, military transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft used in Operation Ellamy
A large aircraft flying as seen from below. A large circular radar antenna is mounted on a pylon on top of the fuselage
E-3D Sentry
A military aircraft taking off
Sentinel R1
A three-engined aircraft flying seen from behind
TriStar
A large light grey military transport aircraft on a runway0
VC-10

See also

References

  1. ^ "Libya attack – live updates" Guardian.co.uk News Blog
  2. ^ a b Libya update mod.gov.uk
  3. ^ "Gaddafi denounces foreign intervention". Al Jazeera English. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  4. ^ Libya assault: UN's calculated gamble, BBC News, 19 March 2011, retrieved 20 March 2011
  5. ^ "Security Council authorizes 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in Libya". United Nations. un.org. 17 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b c Judd, Terri (19 March 2011). "Operation Ellamy: Designed to strike from air and sea". The Independent. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  7. ^ "RAF fighter jets head off ready for Libya mission". The Press and Journal. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  8. ^ "Updated: British Armed Forces launch strike against Libyan air defence systems", Ministry of Defence: Defence news, mod.gov.uk, 20 Mar 11, retrieved 20 March 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ "David Cameron meets allies for Libya crisis talks". BBC. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  10. ^ "Libya: French plane fires on military vehicle". BBC. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  11. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12800635
  12. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12799493
  13. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418
  14. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12785746
  15. ^ "RAF strikes against Gaddafi's forces branded 'a success' as bombed out tanks and cars litter the roads near Benghazi" By Daily Mail Reporters dailymail.co.uk
  16. ^ "British Armed Forces launch strike against Libyan Air Defence systems". Ministry of Defence. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  17. ^ "US fires 110 missiles as no-fly zone is enforced". Irish Independent. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Libya: Coalition launches attacks from air and sea". BBC News. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  19. ^ "MOD News: Libya Update", MoD, 20 March 2011, retrieved 20 March 2011
  20. ^ "British jets fired on Libyan targets" Mar 20, 2011 monstersandcritics.com (c) Deutsche Press Agentur
  21. ^ "TARGET LIBYA: RAF reveals Marham jets' 3,000-mile mission, as aircraft prepare to deploy to Italy", edp24.co.uk, 20 March 2011
  22. ^ "MOD News: Libya Update", MoD, 20 March 2011, retrieved 20 March 2011

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Ellamy&oldid=419884158"