RAF strikes further targets in Libya
Over the weekend RAF Tornado GR4s continued missions over Libya, hitting targets including tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces near Ajdabiya and Misurata, and ammunition bunkers in the southern Libyan desert.
RAF Tornado GR4 lands at Gioia del Colle in southern Italy [Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
Major General John Lorimer, Chief of the Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Officer, said today, Monday 28 March 2011:
Over the weekend RAF Tornado GR4s continued to conduct armed reconnaissance sorties over Libya in support of UNSCR [United Nations Security Council Resolution] 1973. In the course of these missions ordnance released hit a total of 22 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces in the vicinity of Ajdabiya and Misurata.
Following the retreat of Colonel Gaddafi’s forces from most of the coastal towns east of Surt, RAF Tornados have joined other coalition aircraft patrolling over Misurata where, despite significant losses as a result of air strikes, the regime continues to mount attacks on the town.
Brimstone missile strike on Libyan armoured vehicle [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
“During the early hours of this morning, Tornado GR4 aircraft conducted strike missions against Libyan ammunition bunkers in the Sabha area in the southern Libyan desert. Tornado GR4 aircraft flew from RAF Marham and were refuelled en route by TriStar tanker aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.
Storm Shadow missiles were launched against ammunition bunkers used to resupply Libyan Government troops attacking civilians in the north of the country, including Misurata. Initial reports suggest that the bunkers have been destroyed and that the Libyan Government has been denied ammunition it uses to threaten civilians in the north of the country.