Photo Gallery: Operation Odyssey Dawn/Libya No-fly Zone

By Chuck Oldham (Editor) - March 24, 2011

The guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn while under way in the Mediterranean Sea March 19, 2011. The U.S. Navy and British Royal Navy fired approximately 124 cruise missiles at 20 radar and anti-aircraft sites along Libya's coastline. U.S. Navy photo by ICFN Roderick Eubanks

Maintainers and crew chiefs from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare B-2 Spirits March 19, 2011, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. U.S. Air Force photo by SRA Kenny Holston

A U.S. Air Force crew chief with the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals an F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft carrying High Speed Anti-Radiation missiles at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, during Operation Odyssey Dawn March 20, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), assigned to Joint Task Force (JTF) Odyssey Dawn, launches a Tomahawk missile from its forward vertical launch system in support of operation Odyssey Dawn while under way in the Mediterranean Sea March 19, 2011. U.S. Navy photo by STG3 Jeramy Spivey

The cockpit of a Royal Air Force VC10 tanker aircraft as it prepares for take off from RAF Brize Norton in support of RAF Tornado GR4 strike aircraft that struck targets in Libya overnight. It was the longest strike mission since the Black Buck operations during the Falklands conflict. UK Ministry of Defense photo by SAC Neil Chapman

U.S. Air Force pilots from the 492nd Fighter Squadron prepare to taxi their F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft prior to their departure from RAF Lakenheath, England, March 19, 2011. Units from the 48th Fighter Wing were conducting pre-deployment procedures in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.

Crewmembers of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle prepare Super Etendard strike aircraft for a mission over Libya. Marine Nationale photo by Raphael Martinez

A Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s AV-8B Harrier jump jet returns to USS Kearsarge for fuel and ammunition resupply while conducting air strikes in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, March 20, 2011. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Michael S. Lockett

Liaison officers from coalition countries meet with U.S. Joint Task Force (JTF) Odyssey Dawn (OD) staff members aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) to discuss command and control of the multiphase international military operations in the Mediterranean Sea March 21, 2011. JTF OD was the U.S. Africa Command task force established to respond to the developing humanitarian crisis was part of an international effort to repatriate tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the escalating violence in Libya.

A Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft takes off from RAF Marham to enforce the UN-sanctioned no-fly zone over Libya, as part of Resolution 1973. UK Ministry of Defense photo by SAC Lisa Conway

A U.S. sailor guides a French navy AS365 Dauphin rescue helicopter with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) during a test landing aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in the Mediterranean Sea March 21, 2011. Both ships were operating in the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn in response to the crisis in Libya. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gary Keen

A Spanish F-18 fighter jet serving with Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn refuels at U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy March 22, 2011. The U.S. Africa Command task force was established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

A French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 of the famed 1/2 Fighter Squadron "Storks" takes off to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. Photo by Anthony Jeuland/SIRPA Air

Harrier jump jets, CH-53 Super Stallions, and MV-22 Ospreys from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Kearsarge rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot downed in Libya March 22, 2011. The F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in northeast Libya March 21 while flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. U.S. Navy photo by Lance Cpl. Santiago G. Colon, Jr.

The United States joined with coalition partners to establish a no-fly zone over Libya in response to a United Nations resolution.

Coalition countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Norway, Qatar and the United States, are undertaking a limited military action under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973, to end the violence against Libyan citizens by the Government of Libya..

Tomahawk and B-2 strikes were used to destroy Libyan air defense systems, surface-to-air missile sites and communication nodes.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirits, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16CJ Fighting Falcons launched during the early hours of March 20 in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Following the initial launch of Tomahawk missiles, three U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., led strikes on a variety of strategic targets over Libya. U.S. fighter aircraft created airspace where no enemy forces could advance on Libyan opposition troops. Coalition aircraft carried out strikes on radar, anti-aircraft facilities, and armored vehicle convoys, as well as flying combat air patrols over the no-fly zone.

The photos shown here are a first attempt to depict the scope of the operations so far.