{"id":435762,"date":"2011-06-04T08:03:39","date_gmt":"2011-06-04T08:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/06\/04\/nato-uses-attack-helicopters-in-libya\/"},"modified":"2011-06-04T08:03:39","modified_gmt":"2011-06-04T08:03:39","slug":"nato-uses-attack-helicopters-in-libya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/06\/04\/nato-uses-attack-helicopters-in-libya\/","title":{"rendered":"Nato uses attack helicopters in Libya"},"content":{"rendered":"

4 June 2011<\/span> Last updated at<\/span> 04:03 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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Recent footage showed Apache helicopters on HMS Ocean being readied for missions<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

UK Apache attack helicopters have been used over Libya for the first time, Nato has confirmed.<\/p>\n

They attacked and destroyed two military installations, a radar site and an armed checkpoint near Brega, the Captain of HMS Ocean told the BBC.<\/p>\n

The Apaches are understood to have faced incoming fire.<\/p>\n

French Gazelle helicopters also took part in simultaneous attacks on different targets in Libya for the first time.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Nato extended its mission in Libya by 90 days.<\/p>\n

The former head of the Army, Lord Dannatt, said: “It’s an intensification, and it’s an inevitable intensification. If you pick up the words from when President Obama was visiting, what we’ve heard the prime minister say, we don’t want to let this thing linger on any more than we absolutely have to.<\/p>\n

“The mission under UNHCR 1973 is quite clear, it’s to protect people but of course the implied task, and let’s be absolutely open and honest about it, is the removal of Colonel Gaddafi.”<\/p>\n

The BBC’s defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said: “The Captain of the HMS Ocean reported that those targets had been successfully destroyed and both Apaches returned to their base on HMS Ocean.”<\/p>\n

“This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters,” said Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, Commander of Operation Unified Protector.<\/p>\n

Continue reading the main story<\/a><\/p>\n

AT THE SCENE<\/h2>\n

Jonathan Beale<\/span> Defence correspondent, BBC News<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two of the four Apaches on board HMS Ocean left under the cover of darkness. From the ship you can see the lights on Libya’s coast.<\/p>\n

This was a mission that would signal an escalation in the bombing campaign. It would also come with added risks.<\/p>\n

The Apaches fly lower and slower than other Nato warplanes – able to identify a wider range of targets, but also more vulnerable to attacks from the ground.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions.”<\/p>\n

A Ministry of Defence statement said: “UK Apache Attack Helicopters have taken part in coordinated operations over Libya as part of Nato’s Operation Unified Protector to protect civilians under UNSCR 1973. All of the aircraft recovered safely to HMS Ocean. Further details of the operation will be released in due course.”<\/p>\n

Missile risk<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision to send four British Apache helicopters to Libya was made by Prime Minister David Cameron on 27 May.<\/p>\n

Their deployment via HMS Ocean means there should be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that previously relied on the use of Tornado and Typhoon aircraft.<\/p>\n

Continue reading the main story<\/a><\/p>\n

Apache AH Mk1<\/h2>\n