Operational Media Update for 19 May 2011

NATO and Libya

20 May. Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ
(more information: http://www.jfcnaples.nato.int/)

Mission
NATO took control of all military operations for Libya under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 & 1973 on 31 March 2011. The aim of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack.

The mission consists of three elements: an arms embargo, a no-fly-zone and actions to protect civilians from attack or the threat of attack.

Over the past 24 hours, NATO has conducted the following activities associated with Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR:

Air Operations
Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 08.00GMT) a total of 7428 sorties, including 2868 strike sorties* have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 19 May: 166
Strike sorties conducted 19 May: 60

*Strike sorties are intended to identify and engage appropriate targets, but do not necessarily deploy munitions each time.

Key Hits
19 May: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility, Naval Assets (5). In the vicinity of Zuwarah: 2 Command & Control Nodes. In the vicinity of Al Khums: Naval Assets (2), 1 Rocket Launcher. In the vicinity of Mizdah: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 2 Rocket Launcher, 1 Military Technical Vehicle, 1 Military Logistic Vehicle. In the vicinity of Sebha: 1 Military Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Sirte: Naval Asset (1), 4 Command & Control Nodes. In the vicinity of Brega: 2 Military Technical Vehicles.

Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 21 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
14 Vessels were hailed on 19 May to determine destination and cargo. 3 boardings and 2 diversions were conducted.
A total of 982 vessels have been hailed, 46 boardings and 7 diversions have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO
Total of Humanitarian Movements***: 234 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 19 May: 1
Aircraft delivering Humanitarian Assistance 19 May: 6

***Some humanitarian movements cover several days.

Command and Control
NATO’s operational commander for Operation Unified Protector is Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard of the Canadian Air Force. His office and staff is located at the Allied Joint Force Command Naples.