Operational Media Update for 16 June 2011

NATO and Libya

17 June. 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 11387 sorties, including 4307 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 16 JUNE: 146

Strike sorties conducted 16 JUNE: 51

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

Key Hits

16 JUNE: In Tripoli: 1 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher with Loader Vehicle. In the vicinity of Brega: 7 Truck-Mounted Guns, 3 Tanks. In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Misratah: 5 Truck-Mounted Guns. In the vicinity of Zintan: 2 Truck-Mounted Guns, 1 Fuel Truck.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 18 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

23 Vessels were hailed on 16 JUNE to determine destination and cargo. 4 boardings (no denials) were conducted.

A total of 1392 vessels have been hailed, 100 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***: 366 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 16 JUNE: 1

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 16 JUNE: 3

***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.