Coalition forces launch U.S.-led Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country’s ruler, including enforcing a no-fly zone. Three B-2 bombers, flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and four F-15Es and eight F-16CJs are among the first wave of strike forces, following U.S. and British cruise missile attacks on Libyan air defense sites. USAF Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, commander of 17th Air Force, serves as joint force air component commander. In all, U.S. forces would fly more than 600 strike missions out of a total of some 1,600 sorties, including aerial refueling and airlift sorties.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
