Operational Media Update for 15 August 2011

NATO and Libya

16 August. 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, 06.00GMT) a total of 19,011 sorties, including 7, 223 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 15 AUGUST: 127

Strike sorties conducted 15 AUGUST: 49

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

Key Hits 15 AUGUST:

In the vicinity of Al Zawiaya: 3 Tanks, 1 Armed Vehicle, 1 Military Vehicle.

In the vicinity of Al Khums: 1 Military Storage Facility.

In the vicinity of Brega: 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers.

In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Surface to Air Missile Trans/Loader Vehicle, 2 Surface to Air Missile Systems, 1 Radar, 2 Tanks.

In the vicinity of Misratah: 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher.

In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammo Storage Facility.

In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Military Facility, 2 Multiple Rocket Launchers.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 16 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

19 Vessels were hailed on 15 AUGUST to determine destination and cargo. 2 boarding's (no denials) were conducted.

A total of 2207 vessels have been hailed, 221 boarding's and 9 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**: 780 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 15 AUGUST: 2

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 15 AUGUST: 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.