The ongoing uprising in Libya against the government of Muammar al Qadhafi has been the subject of evolving domestic and international debate about potential international military intervention, including the proposed establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya. On March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, establishing a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace, authorizing robust enforcement measures for the arms embargo established by Resolution 1970, and authorizing member states “to take all necessary measures … to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory.”
Maj. Lucas Teel, 492nd Fighter Squadron pilot, and Lt. Col. Clint Mixon, 492nd FS commander, perfom preflight checks on an F-15E Strike Eagle prior to their departure from RAF Lakenheath, England, March 19, 2011. Units from the 48th Fighter Wing are currently conducting pre-deployment procedures in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. The 48th Fighter Wing provides all-weather, day or night air superiority and air-to-ground precision combat capability as well as combat search and rescue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr./Released)
In response, the United States established Operation Odyssey Dawn, the U.S. contribution to a multilateral military effort to enforce a no-fly zone and protect civilians in Libya. Military operations under Odyssey Dawn commenced on March 19, 2011. U.S. and coalition forces quickly established command of the air over Libya’s major cities, destroying portions of the Libyan air defense network and attacking pro-Qadhafi forces deemed to pose a threat to civilian populations.
Maj. Lucas Teel, 492nd Fighter Squadron pilot, and Lt. Col. Clint Mixon, 492nd FS commander, prepare to taxi their F-15E Strike Eagle prior to their departure from RAF Lakenheath, England, March 19, 2011. Units from the 48th Fighter Wing are currently conducting pre-deployment procedures in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. The 48th Fighter Wing provides all-weather, day or night air superiority and air-to-ground precision combat capability as well as combat search and rescue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr./Released)
From the outset of operations, the Obama administration declared its intent to transfer command of operations over Libya to a coalition entity. On March 30, 2011, NATO assumed command of all aspects of coalition military operations.
Establishment of the initial no-fly zone over Libya went smoothly. One U.S. aircraft was lost due to mechanical malfunction, but the crew were rescued
Maj. Lucas Teel, 492nd Fighter Squadron pilot, and Lt. Col. Clint Mixon, 492nd FS commander, secure themselves on an F-15E Strike Eagle prior to their departure from RAF Lakenheath, England, March 19, 2011. Units from the 48th Fighter Wing are currently conducting pre-deployment procedures in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. The 48th Fighter Wing provides all-weather, day or night air superiority and air-to-ground precision combat capability as well as combat search and rescue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr./Released)
