Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Two Spanish F-18 fighters flying to Libya to protect air exclusion zone

Madrid .- Two of the four fighter jets F-18 with which Spain will contribute to the establishment of the no-fly zone backed by the UN on Libya have gone from the base Decimomannu Italy (in Sardinia) and go to Libyan territory to Europa Press reported Defence Ministry sources. In the evening it was his own defense minister, Carme Chacón, announced that "Spain has started its aerial patrol missions without incident" in the international mission in the North African country.

The refueling aircraft Boeing 707, belonging to Group 47 "is returning to the same base, also without incident." The submarine S-74 'Tramontana', based in Cartagena, and the frigate F-100 'Méndez Núñez' "for pre-positioning have sailed way to the area of operations," he said. Chacón explained that the bases of Rota (Cádiz) and Morón (Sevilla) "are media that prepositions to come to the area." These devices, which are armed with air-air missiles have been assigned the mission of patrolling the airspace of Libya, to prevent any hostile aircraft fill.

For this purpose, are authorized to open fire if necessary. It has also started from the Italian base plane Boeing 707 aerial refueling. The four fighter jets F-18 that came out yesterday from Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid) to the Italian base Decimomannu are already operational and integrated into the device partner and authorized to open fire during patrols that will contribute to the establishment of the zone to fly over Libya endorsed by the UN.

This has been explained in a brief appearance before the media Commander Operations Command chief of staff of the Defense (CMOPS), Lieutenant General Jaime Domínguez Buj, after participating in a follow-up meeting of the Spanish deployment in the allied operation on Libya , which was chaired by the Minister for Defence, Carme Chacón.

The commander explained that the command of the five planes that departed in the afternoon yesterday to the Italian base, the four fighters and refueling aircraft B-707-has been transferred by the Chief of Defense Staff (JEMAD), General Jose Julio Rodriguez, commander of the coalition, which holds the head of U.S.

Africa Command (AFRICOM), General William Ward, whose headquarters is in Stuttgart (Germany). As indicated by the general Domínguez Buj, these aircraft "are already operational and integrated into the device coalition ally, ready to act at any moment." "They will be used when the commander decides, but are able to be used at any time," he said.

The commander explained that the no-fly zone requires four types of activities - air patrol, suppression of soil-air defense, air refueling and air traffic control, and pointed out that the Spanish air assets involved in two of them, patrols ( with the fighters) and replenishment (the tanker).

"Combat Operations" As regards the patrol, explained that they are "combat operations." As noted above, the F-18 Spanish Air Force is already under the "employment standards' of the coalition and" allowed to open fire in implementing the UN resolution and when required by the mission. " The commander did not reveal what they are the rules that have been developed to the 'Odyssey Dawn', and are already being "tested", but stressed that Spain is acting "within the coalition, standards of the coalition, and respecting the UN resolution.

" "The commander of the operation is the one that says what are the steps that must be followed and the decisions to make," he remarked. Prepared for attachment As regards the arms embargo that covers the UN resolution, Spain is expecting that the NATO Council adopted a decision on the start of this mission.

The Spanish submarine S-74 'Tramontana' has left this morning from the naval base in Cartagena (Murcia) to the vicinity of Libya, pending the decision as the beginning of the operation, however, that, backed by the UN, will join the no-fly zone that is already underway. According to Europa Press reported military sources, the submarine has sailed at 8.00 am this morning from Cartagena (Murcia) and headed towards the area of operations, so that it can be operational and integrated into the mission as soon as they decide their home.

This submarine has a staff of 60 military. Meanwhile, F-104 frigate 'Méndez Núñez' continues its journey Monday Rota (Cadiz), where his arrival is expected mid-morning Tuesday. The frigate departed at 17.00 hours on Sunday from the naval base at Ferrol (Pontevedra) for prepositions in the base of Cadiz.

According to the sources indicated, when requested joining the mission, however, when the Allies decide its launch, the 'Méndez Núñez' take "a couple of days" to reach the next area. However, this ship, the most modern of its kind available to the Navy, can act from a distance, given modern communications system and combat.

Among its capabilities, it also includes electronic warfare equipment and an SH-60B helicopter. Spain's contribution to the attachment is completed by a surveillance plane C-235. At the moment it is unknown what the exact location of the Spanish naval and aircraft for this mission. The NATO ambassadors met again tonight in Brussels to try to reach an agreement "by consensus" of the Twenty-eight to participate in implementing the arms embargo on Libya.

Lt. Gen. Buj Dominguez stressed that deployment is a "very important" military means, air and sea, given the "highest level" of capabilities that brings Spain and the average number of troops deployed and mobilizing , about a 500. Before turning to questions, the commander noted that it is "fair to speed" with which the Armed Forces have answered "once again" on a mission entrusted by the Government and said that this shows "the high degree readiness and availability "of hosts to cope with crisis situations or threats.

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