Op Ellamy update - April 2011

OPERATION Ellamy is the UK's contribution to NATO forces enforcing UN Resolution 1973 to protect civilians in Libya. Elements of the RAF carry out patrols and strikes from bases in Malta and Italy.

The Royal Navy is patrolling in the Mediterranean. Coincidentally, Exercise Cougar is under way. Embarked Royal Marines are somewhere  in the Mediterranean.

 
April 26 - Second group of ships join Cougar 11

 HMS Ocean led a second group of ships to join Cougar 11 as part of the Royal Navy's new Response Force Task Group. The 22,500-tonne helicopter carrier left Plymouth to meet up with the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Wave Knight, Fort Rosalie and Mounts Bay.

 
April 25 - Coalition air patrols over Misratah, Tripoli, Yafran and Brega

 RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft successfully engaged two regime artillery pieces south of Zlitan and seven armed pick-up trucks near Misratah. A number of military vehicles at Brega were also destroyed.

 
April 23-25 - Vehicles and missile facility hit in three-day assault near Misratah

 RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft successfully attacked three armoured personnel carriers near Misratah, as well as a surface-to-surface missile facility near the city. Eight rocket launcher vehicles were seriously damaged and eight support vehicles were assessed to have been destroyed. RAF aircraft returned to the same missile facility the following day and destroyed rocket storage facilities, as well as a main battle tank nearby.

 On April 25, UK aircraft engaged a tank near Mizdah and a self-propelled gun near Yafran, as well as a number of missile launchers south-west of Misratah.

 
April 22/23 - Jadu attacks reported to be successful

 RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft identified regime vehicles in the area of Jadu and successfully attacked two main battle tanks, an armoured personnel carrier and surface to air missiles.  A further patrol in the same area the previous day resulted in an additional armoured personnel carrier and three other military vehicles being engaged.

 
April 20 - Brimstone missiles and Paveway bombs attack Misratah and Tripoli targets

Coalition aircraft attacked regime targets around Misratah and Tripoli, under Operation Unified Protector, and RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft engaged three main battle tanks and two multiple rocket launchers with Brimstone missiles and Paveway bombs.

At sea, HMS Liverpool and HMS Brocklesby were maintaining patrols off the Libyan coast as part of the NATO task group, enforcing the arms embargo and providing support to air operations, while the submarine HMS Triumph remained on task with her armament of Tomahawk missiles.

Given the grievous situation in Misrata, NATO has focused much of its air effort in this area, attacking numerous regime targets that were threatening the civilian population.

The RAF contribution alone saw 58 targets hit in and around the city in the previous three weeks including: 37 main battle tanks; 10 artillery, rocket and missile launchers, 10 other vehicles, and an ammunition bunker. Nineteen of these targets were destroyed in the previous week.

 
April 19 - Continued focus on besieged city of Misratah

RAF Tornado and Typhoon aircraft used a mix of Brimstone and Paveway precision guided weapons to attack three regime main battle tanks and a vehicle-mounted artillery piece in and around Misratah. RAF surveillance and air-to-air refuelling aircraft also remained very active supporting UK and other NATO air patrols.