Lalit K Jha
Washington, Apr 14 (PTI) The US fighter jets have continued airstrikes inside Libya even after NATO took over the command of coalition to enforce the UN mandated no-fly- zone over this North African country, Pentagon has said.
F-16CJs fighting Falcons and E/A-18G Growlers have flown 97 sorties to suppress enemy air defenses, Pentagon spokesman Col Dave Lapan told reporters at an off camera news conference, making it clear that American military has not withdrawn after the change in command.
Lapan said since April 4, when NATO took over command of the Libyan military operation from the US, 11 American aircraft including six F-16CJs Falcons and five E/A-18G Growlers have been in action.
"Of these, only three (April 4, 6, and 7) resulted in the expenditure of ordnance on enemy air defense targets. Two of those were mobile targets," he said.