Operational Media Update for 12 June 2011

NATO and Libya

13 June. Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ
            (more information: 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 10822 sorties, including 4102 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 12 JUNE: 136
Strike sorties conducted 12 JUNE: 52

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

Key Hits
12 JUNE: In the vicinity of Tripoli: 3 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Pieces, 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher, 1 Grenade Launcher. In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Misratah: 2 Rocket Launchers, 2 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Pieces, 1 Military Truck. In the vicinity of Al-Qaryat: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Brega: 1 Tank, 4 Truck-Mounted Guns.

Arms Embargo Activities
A total of 19 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.
21 Vessels were hailed on 12 JUNE to determine destination and cargo. 2 boardings (no denials) were conducted.
A total of 1308 vessels have been hailed, 89 boardings and 8 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO
Total of Humanitarian Movements***: 350 (air, ground, maritime)
Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 12 JUNE: 2
Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 12 JUNE: 1

***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.