Libya update from the British Forces

Royal Navy's 'eye in the sky' home from Libya mission

A Military Operations news article

26 Sep 11

Royal Navy personnel, who by using Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopters helped Army Air Corps (AAC) Apache helicopter launch strikes against Gaddafi's forces in Libya, have returned home from operations.

A Sea King from 857 Naval Air Squadron on the deck of HMS Ocean during Op ELLAMY
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Guy Pool, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Nearly 50 members of 857 Naval Air Squadron touched down at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday, 23 September 2011, after four months away, flying over Libya in support of NATO operations enforcing United Nation Security Council Resolution 1973.

Using two Mark 7 Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopters, crews flew almost 100 operational sorties over Libya - all at night and usually lasting around three hours. In one month alone, the helicopters were airborne for nearly 150 hours.

The squadron only returned from Afghanistan in December 2010, where it proved its utility in large drugs busts and surveillance missions.... (more here)

And from the RAF:

RAF Typhoons return from Libya operations

A Military Operations news article

26 Sep 11

After six months and one day supporting the UK mission over Libya as part of Operation ELLAMY, RAF Typhoons have left Gioia del Colle in Italy and returned to the UK.

The last four Royal Air Force FGR4 Typhoons left the Italian '36 Stormo' air base at Gioia del Colle in Southern Italy after completing a successful deployment
[Picture: Cpl Pete Devine, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

The return of the aircraft is part of the strategy to optimise the air contribution to the current and future campaign which the RAF continues to fully support with 16 Tornado GR4s.

Typhoon missions over Libya have taken place 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, in all weathers, since the operation began in March 2011 and the Typhoon Squadrons have clocked up over 3,000 flying hours.

Officer Commanding 906 Expeditionary Air Wing, Group Captain Squires, commented on the Typhoon's vital contribution to the operation:

"The Typhoon's contribution to enforcing the UN Resolution to protect the Libyan civilians has been immense....(more here)

Both stories from the MoD, of course.

Well done, lads! Thank you.