Operational Media Update for 24 August 2011

NATO and Libya

25 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 20,262 sorties, including 7, 635 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 24 AUGUST: 141

Strike sorties conducted 24 AUGUST:48

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

Key Hits 24 AUGUST:

In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Military Storage Facility, 1 Military Heavy Equipment Truck, 2 Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 Surface to Air Missile Support Vehicle, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 1 Radar.

In the vicinity of Sirte: Surface to Surface Missile Support Vehicles.

In the vicinity of Okba: 1 Surface to Air Missile.

In the vicinity of Bani Walid: Anti Tank Rifle.

Arms Embargo Activities

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

13 Vessels were hailed on 24 AUGUST to determine destination and cargo. 2 boarding's ( 1 denied) were conducted.

A total of 2326 vessels have been hailed, 238 boarding's and 11 denials have been conducted since the beginning of arms embargo operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**:828 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 24 AUGUST: 1

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 24 AUGUST: 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.