Operational Media Update for 28 August 2011

NATO and Libya

29 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 20,751 sorties, including 7, 806 strike sorties*, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 28 AUGUST: 118

Strike sorties conducted 28 AUGUST:38

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

Key Hits 28 AUGUST:

In the vicinity of Waddan: 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun.

In the vicinity of Sirte: 4 Radars, 20 Surface to Air Missile Canisters, 3 Military Support Vehicles, 1 Antenna, 2 Surface to Air Missile Systems.

In the vicinity of Ras Lanuf: 5 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Artillery Piece, 1 Armed Vehicle.

Arms Embargo Activities

A total of 15 ships under NATO command are actively patrolling the Central Mediterranean.

16 Vessels were hailed on 28 AUGUST to determine destination and cargo. 4 boarding's ( 0 denied) were conducted.

A total of 2414 vessels have been hailed, 244 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**:864 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 28 AUGUST: 5

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 28 AUGUST: 5

**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.