Mise à jour :23/03/2011
En l’espace de deux jours, 11 missions aériennes ont déjà été réalisées par les aéronefs français engagés dans les opérations militaires au-dessus de la Libye.
Depuis le 19 mars, les moyens de l’armée de l’Air et de la Marine nationale sont déployés au-dessus et au large de la Libye, en application de la résolution 1973 du Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU. Les frappes conduites ont notamment permis la destruction de quatre véhicules blindés des forces du colonel Kadhafi.
Dans la suite des opérations lancées le 19 mars, une quinzaine d’aéronefs de l’armée de l’air, dont 6 Rafale , 4 Mirage 2000 D , des avions ravitailleurs C 135 et un E3F Awacs , ont réalisé aujourd’hui plus de 120 heures de vol consacrées à de nouvelles missions de reconnaissance, de défense aérienne, de contrôle aérien et de détection, ainsi que de ravitaillement dans la zone de Benghazi.
Le porte-avions Charles de Gaulle a quant à lui appareillé de Toulon afin d’opérer très prochainement avec les autres bâtiments du groupe aéronaval (pétrolier ravitailleur Meuse et frégates Dupleix et Aconit ) au large de la Libye. Les frégates Forbin et Jean Bart , déjà sur la zone d’opérations, apportent déjà leurs puissants moyens de détection aérienne à la coalition internationale.
Samedi 19 mars, une vingtaine d’aéronefs avait déjà réalisé plus de 135 heures de vol, dont près de 90 pour les avions de combat.
Alors que les aéronefs de la marine nationale opéreront depuis le porte-avions, les aéronefs de l’armée de l’air opèrent actuellement depuis les bases aériennes françaises d’Avord, Nancy, St Dizier, Dijon, et Istres ; d’Evreux et Orléans pour les avions engagés dans les manœuvres logistiques.
La montée en puissance de la base aérienne de Solenzara, en Corse, constitue une étape supplémentaire de la montée en puissance globale du dispositif français dans cette intervention militaire internationale. Elle accueille déjà aujourd’hui des avions de combat de retour de mission en Libye.
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Libye: point de situation de l'opération Harmattan n°1
Mise à jour :23/03/2011
Samedi 19 mars 2011, sur ordre du président de la République, le chef d’état-major des armées a lancé l’opération Harmattan , nom de la participation française à l’engagement militaire international d’opérations aériennes pour protéger la population libyenne contre les attaques des forces du colonel Kadhafi.
En début d’après-midi, la France a engagé des moyens pour faire respecter une zone d’exclusion aérienne dans la région critique de Benghazi, en application de la résolution 1973 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies et en coordination avec ses partenaires, notamment britanniques, américains et de la Ligue arabe.
Depuis 13h30 ce jour, les avions de l’armée de l’air sont engagés dans le ciel libyen. Ils assurent des missions de défense aérienne pour faire respecter la zone d’exclusion aérienne dans la région de Benghazi et empêcher les vols des aéronefs du colonel Kadhafi, ainsi que des frappes sur des cibles militaires identifiées au sol qui menacent la population civile.
Pour réaliser ces missions, le dispositif comprend également des moyens de reconnaissance, de contrôle aérien et de détection, ainsi que des moyens de ravitaillement.
Au total, une vingtaine d’aéronefs sont engagés aujourd’hui (8 Rafale , 2 Mirage 2000-5, 2 Mirage 2000 D, 6 avions ravitailleurs C 135, un E3F Awacs) ainsi que deux frégates anti-aérienne et de défense aérienne (le Jean Bart et le Forbin ) positionnées au large de la Libye. Ces moyens militaires français ont été engagés en étroite coordination avec nos alliés le temps de que la coalition multinationale se mette en place.
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Samedi 19 mars 2011, sur ordre du président de la République, le chef d’état-major des armées a lancé l’opération Harmattan , nom de la participation française à l’engagement militaire international d’opérations aériennes pour protéger la population libyenne contre les attaques des forces du colonel Kadhafi.
En début d’après-midi, la France a engagé des moyens pour faire respecter une zone d’exclusion aérienne dans la région critique de Benghazi, en application de la résolution 1973 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies et en coordination avec ses partenaires, notamment britanniques, américains et de la Ligue arabe.
Depuis 13h30 ce jour, les avions de l’armée de l’air sont engagés dans le ciel libyen. Ils assurent des missions de défense aérienne pour faire respecter la zone d’exclusion aérienne dans la région de Benghazi et empêcher les vols des aéronefs du colonel Kadhafi, ainsi que des frappes sur des cibles militaires identifiées au sol qui menacent la population civile.
Pour réaliser ces missions, le dispositif comprend également des moyens de reconnaissance, de contrôle aérien et de détection, ainsi que des moyens de ravitaillement.
Au total, une vingtaine d’aéronefs sont engagés aujourd’hui (8 Rafale , 2 Mirage 2000-5, 2 Mirage 2000 D, 6 avions ravitailleurs C 135, un E3F Awacs) ainsi que deux frégates anti-aérienne et de défense aérienne (le Jean Bart et le Forbin ) positionnées au large de la Libye. Ces moyens militaires français ont été engagés en étroite coordination avec nos alliés le temps de que la coalition multinationale se mette en place.
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Libyan air force neutered
A Military Operations news article
24 Mar 11
The RAF's commander of the air operations over Libya, Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell, has reported that the Libyan air force "no longer exists as a fighting force."
Speaking from Gioia del Colle air base, near Bari in southern Italy, earlier this afternoon, AVM Bagwell said that the Libyan air force had been neutered by the coalition action:
"We are now applying sustained, unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces. Their air force no longer exists as a fighting force, and its integrated air defence system and command and control networks are severely degraded to the point that we can operate over [Libyan] airspace with impunity," he said.
"As we continue to enforce the no-fly zone, we are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack.
"We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation, and we attack them whenever they threaten or attack civilians or population centres."
Source
24 Mar 11
The RAF's commander of the air operations over Libya, Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell, has reported that the Libyan air force "no longer exists as a fighting force."
Speaking from Gioia del Colle air base, near Bari in southern Italy, earlier this afternoon, AVM Bagwell said that the Libyan air force had been neutered by the coalition action:
"We are now applying sustained, unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces. Their air force no longer exists as a fighting force, and its integrated air defence system and command and control networks are severely degraded to the point that we can operate over [Libyan] airspace with impunity," he said.
"As we continue to enforce the no-fly zone, we are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack.
"We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation, and we attack them whenever they threaten or attack civilians or population centres."
Source
HMS Westminster supports Libya operations
A Military Operations news article
23 Mar 11
HMS Westminster is currently patrolling off the coast of Libya and stands ready to support any humanitarian or embargo actions as required by the coalition to enforce UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973.
The Royal Navy Type 23 frigate has been there for a few weeks now, having sailed from London at short notice to support the operations off Libya.
Early on she provided some support to the non-combatant evacuation operations and has subsequently been patrolling in the Bay of Sirte, reporting the activities on the ground and in the air back to the UK authorities. In both the reporting of intelligence and as a demonstration of the UK Government's commitment to this region she has played an important role.
Now that military action has been taken in support of UNSCR 1973, HMS Westminster is continuing to report the situation back to the UK, and is prepared for tasking to support any humanitarian or embargo operations that may be required.
She is playing an important role in deterring Colonel Gaddafi's navy from conducting attacks against the Libyan people. Before UN Security Council Resolution 1973, their gunboats shelled a number of the coastal towns, but with Westminster, HMS Cumberland and HMS Triumph patrolling the coastal waters, there has been a very marked reluctance on the part of the Libyan Navy to venture forth since the start of the enforcement action.
HMS Westminster expects to remain engaged in a dynamic and evolving operational situation for the foreseeable future.
Commander Tim Green, HMS Westminster's Commanding Officer, said:
"We have switched quickly from official ceremonies in London to operational circumstances off Libya in very short order and with the minimum of fuss. Having assisted in non-combatant evacuation operations we are now guarding the maritime flank, protecting the Libyan people from Gaddafi's aggression.
"We are ready for combat, embargo or humanitarian operations at immediate notice. This is what the Royal Navy does and my ship and people have stepped up to the mark brilliantly."
As the Commanding Officer was speaking, the ship's helicopter was airborne conducting maritime patrol operations, exerting the Royal Navy's sea control over the area.
HMS Westminster also has a detachment of Royal Marines embarked ready to assist in maritime security operations, augmenting the ship's own board and search capabilities, and is ready to enforce embargo operations in support of UNSCR 1973.
HMS Westminster during her transit towards Libya
[Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Sean Clee, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011] Full size
Source
23 Mar 11
HMS Westminster is currently patrolling off the coast of Libya and stands ready to support any humanitarian or embargo actions as required by the coalition to enforce UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973.
The Royal Navy Type 23 frigate has been there for a few weeks now, having sailed from London at short notice to support the operations off Libya.
Early on she provided some support to the non-combatant evacuation operations and has subsequently been patrolling in the Bay of Sirte, reporting the activities on the ground and in the air back to the UK authorities. In both the reporting of intelligence and as a demonstration of the UK Government's commitment to this region she has played an important role.
Now that military action has been taken in support of UNSCR 1973, HMS Westminster is continuing to report the situation back to the UK, and is prepared for tasking to support any humanitarian or embargo operations that may be required.
She is playing an important role in deterring Colonel Gaddafi's navy from conducting attacks against the Libyan people. Before UN Security Council Resolution 1973, their gunboats shelled a number of the coastal towns, but with Westminster, HMS Cumberland and HMS Triumph patrolling the coastal waters, there has been a very marked reluctance on the part of the Libyan Navy to venture forth since the start of the enforcement action.
HMS Westminster expects to remain engaged in a dynamic and evolving operational situation for the foreseeable future.
Commander Tim Green, HMS Westminster's Commanding Officer, said:
"We have switched quickly from official ceremonies in London to operational circumstances off Libya in very short order and with the minimum of fuss. Having assisted in non-combatant evacuation operations we are now guarding the maritime flank, protecting the Libyan people from Gaddafi's aggression.
"We are ready for combat, embargo or humanitarian operations at immediate notice. This is what the Royal Navy does and my ship and people have stepped up to the mark brilliantly."
As the Commanding Officer was speaking, the ship's helicopter was airborne conducting maritime patrol operations, exerting the Royal Navy's sea control over the area.
HMS Westminster also has a detachment of Royal Marines embarked ready to assist in maritime security operations, augmenting the ship's own board and search capabilities, and is ready to enforce embargo operations in support of UNSCR 1973.
HMS Westminster during her transit towards Libya
[Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Sean Clee, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011] Full size
Source
Roughead: Ships Were Ready for Odyssey Dawn
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2011 – While Operation Odyssey Dawn brewed up quickly, the U.S. Navy already was positioned for operations over Libya, the chief of naval operations said here today.
Navy Adm. Gary Roughead told the Defense Writers Group that having Navy ships and submarines in the Mediterranean Sea enabled a quick response to the order that began Operation Odyssey Dawn.
"The need, for example in the opening rounds, for the Tomahawk strikes, the shooters were already in place," Roughead said. "They were already loaded, and that went off as we expected it would."
The Navy's top officer said he is pleased overall with the operation so far. The actions against Libya marked the first time the converted ballistic missile submarine USS Florida was used in combat, and basing the coalition's joint task force aboard the USS Mount Whitney has provided flexibility, he added.
Roughead said he also is pleased with the performance of the EA-18G Growler, the Navy's newest electronic warfare aircraft. The five-jet squadron had been flying missions over Iraq, but was quickly moved and began flying missions in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn just 47 hours after recovering from operations over Iraq, he said.
The admiral also praised the tactical recovery of two F-15E Strike Eagle airmen who ejected over Libya when their jet had mechanical problems. The USS Kearsarge launched a V-22 Osprey that got in quickly and made the recovery, he said.
"The way it came together, the synchronicity of operations, the involvement and coordination among the different participants [went] quite well," he added.
Roughead said the Navy can continue supporting operations as long as it takes.
"That's what you get when you have a global Navy that's forward all the time," he said. "We don't surge, and we don't ride to the sound of the guns. We're there, and when the guns go off, we're ready to conduct combat operations, or, as you see in Japan, ready to conduct some pretty extensive humanitarian operations."
In the run-up to the operations, the admiral told the group, the Joint Chiefs of Staff deliberated on the military actions that would be required. Roughead said he was particularly concerned about Moammar Gadhafi's integrated air and missile defense system. Though the system was old, he said, "I don't take any of that for granted. If someone is going to put a missile in the air, you don't say, 'Oh, it's an old one, I'll worry about it later.'"
Logistics was another concern, Roughead said, but the Navy's robust presence in the Mediterranean comes with re-supply ships afloat and depots ashore. The global supply chain has worked well, he said, adding that he anticipates no problem in keeping operations going.
From a funding standpoint, Roughead told the defense writers, the operations are not especially costly.
"When you look at the expenses of what we in the Navy incurred, given the fact that we were already there, those costs are 'sunk' for me. I'm already paying for that," he said.
The service did incur additional flying hours, and the Tomahawks will be replaced from the existing inventory, Roughead said. More than 3,200 Tomahawks are in the inventory, and the missiles used in the operation represent "relatively minor increases in cost," he added.
Source
See also:
Ships Were in Position for Odyssey Dawn, CNO Says
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2011 – While Operation Odyssey Dawn brewed up quickly, the U.S. Navy already was positioned for operations over Libya, the chief of naval operations said here today.
Navy Adm. Gary Roughead told the Defense Writers Group that having Navy ships and submarines in the Mediterranean Sea enabled a quick response to the order that began Operation Odyssey Dawn.
"The need, for example in the opening rounds, for the Tomahawk strikes, the shooters were already in place," Roughead said. "They were already loaded, and that went off as we expected it would."
The Navy's top officer said he is pleased overall with the operation so far. The actions against Libya marked the first time the converted ballistic missile submarine USS Florida was used in combat, and basing the coalition's joint task force aboard the USS Mount Whitney has provided flexibility, he added.
Roughead said he also is pleased with the performance of the EA-18G Growler, the Navy's newest electronic warfare aircraft. The five-jet squadron had been flying missions over Iraq, but was quickly moved and began flying missions in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn just 47 hours after recovering from operations over Iraq, he said.
The admiral also praised the tactical recovery of two F-15E Strike Eagle airmen who ejected over Libya when their jet had mechanical problems. The USS Kearsarge launched a V-22 Osprey that got in quickly and made the recovery, he said.
"The way it came together, the synchronicity of operations, the involvement and coordination among the different participants [went] quite well," he added.
Roughead said the Navy can continue supporting operations as long as it takes.
"That's what you get when you have a global Navy that's forward all the time," he said. "We don't surge, and we don't ride to the sound of the guns. We're there, and when the guns go off, we're ready to conduct combat operations, or, as you see in Japan, ready to conduct some pretty extensive humanitarian operations."
In the run-up to the operations, the admiral told the group, the Joint Chiefs of Staff deliberated on the military actions that would be required. Roughead said he was particularly concerned about Moammar Gadhafi's integrated air and missile defense system. Though the system was old, he said, "I don't take any of that for granted. If someone is going to put a missile in the air, you don't say, 'Oh, it's an old one, I'll worry about it later.'"
Logistics was another concern, Roughead said, but the Navy's robust presence in the Mediterranean comes with re-supply ships afloat and depots ashore. The global supply chain has worked well, he said, adding that he anticipates no problem in keeping operations going.
From a funding standpoint, Roughead told the defense writers, the operations are not especially costly.
"When you look at the expenses of what we in the Navy incurred, given the fact that we were already there, those costs are 'sunk' for me. I'm already paying for that," he said.
The service did incur additional flying hours, and the Tomahawks will be replaced from the existing inventory, Roughead said. More than 3,200 Tomahawks are in the inventory, and the missiles used in the operation represent "relatively minor increases in cost," he added.
Source
See also:
Ships Were in Position for Odyssey Dawn, CNO Says
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Libye: première mission aérienne pour la TF 473
Mise à jour :22/03/2011
Le 22 mars 2011 en début de matinée, le porte-avions Charles de Gaulle a commencé ses opérations aériennes dans le cadre de l’opération Harmattan. La veille, la TF473, à laquelle est intégré le porte-avions, avait reçu l’ordre de mener dans la matinée une mission de reconnaissance aérienne au-dessus du territoire libyen.
Durant la nuit, les armuriers et techniciens du porte-avions ont préparé et armé deux Rafale F3 de la flotille 12F, en installant notamment des missiles air/air MICA et des nacelles RECO NG, qui permettent un transfert et une analyse en temps réel de photographies.
A 08h00, les pilotes engagés ont été briefés sur les objectifs de la mission. Une heure plus tard, les Rafale F3 ont été catapultés pour mener la première mission opérationnelle du groupe aérien embarqué du Charles de Gaulle. La mission a pris fin en milieu de journée avec le retour à bord des deux avions.
Le porte-avions et les frégates Dupleix et Aconit rejoignent les autres bâtiments du groupe aéronaval, le Forbin et le Jean Bart .
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Le 22 mars 2011 en début de matinée, le porte-avions Charles de Gaulle a commencé ses opérations aériennes dans le cadre de l’opération Harmattan. La veille, la TF473, à laquelle est intégré le porte-avions, avait reçu l’ordre de mener dans la matinée une mission de reconnaissance aérienne au-dessus du territoire libyen.
Durant la nuit, les armuriers et techniciens du porte-avions ont préparé et armé deux Rafale F3 de la flotille 12F, en installant notamment des missiles air/air MICA et des nacelles RECO NG, qui permettent un transfert et une analyse en temps réel de photographies.
A 08h00, les pilotes engagés ont été briefés sur les objectifs de la mission. Une heure plus tard, les Rafale F3 ont été catapultés pour mener la première mission opérationnelle du groupe aérien embarqué du Charles de Gaulle. La mission a pris fin en milieu de journée avec le retour à bord des deux avions.
Le porte-avions et les frégates Dupleix et Aconit rejoignent les autres bâtiments du groupe aéronaval, le Forbin et le Jean Bart .
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Task Force 473: visite du commandant de la JTF « Odyssey Dawn » à bord du Charles de Gaulle.
Mise à jour :22/03/2011
Le 21 mars, l’amiral Samuel J. Locklear, commandant de la Joint Task Force US « Odyssey Dawn », s’est rendu à bord du porte-avions Charles de Gaulle . L’amiral Locklear dirige l’état-major embarqué à bord du bâtiment de commandement américain USS Mount Whitney en opérations au large de la Libye.
Le contre-amiral Philippe Coindreau, commandant la Task Force 473 a accueilli l’amiral Locklear à sa descente d’hélicoptère. Les deux amiraux se sont entretenus sur les opérations en cours. A l’issue l’amiral Locklear a tenu à rencontrer les pilotes de l’aéronautique navale française qui s’apprêtent à être engagés au-dessus de la Libye dans le cadre de la résolution 1973 des Nations Unies.
Cette rencontre s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’étroite coordination entre les forces de la coalition internationale pour assurer au mieux la protection de la population libyenne.
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
Le 21 mars, l’amiral Samuel J. Locklear, commandant de la Joint Task Force US « Odyssey Dawn », s’est rendu à bord du porte-avions Charles de Gaulle . L’amiral Locklear dirige l’état-major embarqué à bord du bâtiment de commandement américain USS Mount Whitney en opérations au large de la Libye.
Le contre-amiral Philippe Coindreau, commandant la Task Force 473 a accueilli l’amiral Locklear à sa descente d’hélicoptère. Les deux amiraux se sont entretenus sur les opérations en cours. A l’issue l’amiral Locklear a tenu à rencontrer les pilotes de l’aéronautique navale française qui s’apprêtent à être engagés au-dessus de la Libye dans le cadre de la résolution 1973 des Nations Unies.
Cette rencontre s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’étroite coordination entre les forces de la coalition internationale pour assurer au mieux la protection de la population libyenne.
Sources : EMA
Droits : Ministère de la Défense et des anciens combattants
Source
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