An F-15E Strike Eagle prepares to taxi, March 19, 2011, prior to departing Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Units from the 48th Fighter Wing are conducting pre-deployment procedures in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)
3/20/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirits, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16CJ Fighting Falcons launched during the early hours of March 20 in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, which is centered on protecting Libyan citizens from any further harm from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's regime.
Following the initial launch of Tomahawk missiles, three U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., led strikes on a variety of strategic targets over Libya. U.S. fighter aircraft created airspace where no enemy forces could advance on Libyan opposition troops.
"It was a spectacular display of Airmenship watching this coalition come together the way it did to execute the first air strikes on behalf of the Libyan people," said Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, Operation Odyssey Dawn Joint Force Air Component Commander. "Our bombers and fighters performed magnificently and we are fully behind protecting the innocent Libyan citizens while ensuring the safety of coalition aircraft."
Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III.
(Courtesy of Joint Force Air Component Command Odyssey Dawn Public Affairs)
Comments
3/22/2011 5:29:59 PM ET The recovery of Capt. Paul Lorence's remains needs to be put back on the front burner during and after this operation. 25 years is too long for the family to find out about his fate.
Doc, New Mexico
3/21/2011 8:26:25 PM ET Back at ya Gadhafi L.I.B.Y.A again and this time around I hope the Strike Eagles and the rest of the coalition end this one and for all. Hopefully we'll still see the return of the remains of Capt Paul Lorence who gave his life with Maj. Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci whose remains were returned years later.
Mike F-111 Troop, Colo Springs CO
3/21/2011 2:01:35 PM ET Very nice reports/pictures........and real reports. Very interesting.......more of this.
Michael, Italy 7 Southtirol
3/21/2011 1:43:34 PM ET Good on ya, RAF Lakenheath. We owe them a few for the F111F we lost back in 1986 just off their coast in the Med after we struck them last time. But the difference this time is maybe we don't need to fly around France to get the mission completed. Remember the Patch and Logo L.I.B.Y.A.? First word is Lakenheath on the patch. It showed the statue of Liberty throwing the bomb down from her hand.
Mike S, Ohio
3/20/2011 10:41:37 PM ET God Bless all the airmen involved in this effort.
