UNIFIED PROTECTOR

Following the popular uprising against the Gadhafi regime in Benghazi, Libya, in February 2011, the UN Security Council adopted Resolutions 1970 and 1973 in support of the Libyan people, “condemning the gross and systematic violation of human rights”. The resolutions introduced active measures including a no-fly zone, an arms embargo and the authorisation for member countries, acting as appropriate through regional organisations, to take “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians.

Initially, NATO enforced the no-fly zone and then, on 31 March 2011, NATO took over sole command and control of all military operations for Libya. The NATO-led Operation Unified Protector had three distinct components:

• the enforcement of an arms embargo on the high seas of the Mediterranean to prevent the transfer of arms, related material and mercenaries to Libya;
• the enforcement of a no-fly-zone in order to prevent any aircraft from bombing civilian targets; and
• air and naval strikes against those military forces involved in attacks or threats to attack Libyan civilians and civilian-populated areas.

The UN mandate was carried out to the letter and the operation was terminated on 31 October 2011 after having fulfilled its objectives.

From the deployed location Forward Operating Base Trapani, Sicily, the E-3A and E-3D platforms ensured Command, Control and Communication for other air assets as well as for ships in the Mediterranean and thereby demonstrated the unique capabilities of NATO AWACS. OUP was a joint effort between air and maritime forces, and the E-3A and E-3D perfectly supported this mission. The AWACS flew in 222 days a total of 247 missions and more than 2,120 hours in support of OUP. The last OUP mission was flown on 31 October 2011. The E-3A and E-3D Component contributed to what NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called one of the most successful operations in NATO history.

The Operation had ensured the maritime surveillance of 61,000 square miles, controlling 3,00 vessels and boarding about 300 of them. The ships were directly involved in the rescue at sea of 600 migrants. The air assets carried out 26,500 sorties, destroying more than 5,900 military targets, including 400 artillery or missile launchers and 600 armoured vehicles.