U.S., U.K. Tomahawks ‘First Phase’ Opened Airspace Over Libya
This article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. and allied forces began their assault on Libya by hitting the North African nation’s air-defense systems with cruise missiles, followed by attacks from bombers and fighter jets, to reduce the risks for subsequent overflights by coalition aircraft.
The opening rounds of Operation Odyssey Dawn followed the script of major operations since 1991 with the launch of Raytheon Co. Tomahawk cruise missiles to clear a path for manned aircraft. The first strikes on March 19 involved 124 missiles against more than 20 targets; by contrast, 288 Tomahawks were fired in the opening hours of the 1991 Gulf War.