The Latest On Marines In Libya Supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn

26th MEU Planes Join Coalition Near Misratah

By Capt Richard K. Ulsh, 26th MEU Public Affairs

March 28, 2011

USS Kearsarge, At sea - Recent strikes carried out by AV-8B Harrier jump jets with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, a unit making up part of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, targeted tanks and armored personnel carriers commanded by Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi near the city of Misratah, March 26 and 27, 2011.

These strikes supplement the on-going Coalition efforts to protect the Libyan civilians within the city. Coalition and U.S. actions have brought about an end to the Qadhafi regime's siege on key cities in the east by its ground forces and aircraft.

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces.  JTF

Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III.

Marines Rescue Downed Pilot After Fighter Jet Crashes In Libya

March 22, 2011

By Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE--Marines from the 26th Marine
Expeditionary Unit rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot downed in
Libya March 22, 2011. The F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in
northeast Libya March 21, 2011, while flying in support of
Operation Odyssey Dawn, the joint coalition enforcing U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan
people from the country’s ruler. (Photo by LCpl Santiago G. Colon, Jr.)

ARLINGTON, Va. — Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit rescued a U.S. Air Force pilot downed in Libya March 22.

The F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in northeast Libya March 21, 2011, while flying in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the joint coalition enforcing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country’s ruler.

Using two AV/8B Harriers, two MV-22 Ospreys and two CH-53E Super Stallions carrying a quick reaction force, the Camp Lejeune, N.C., based Marines conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to recover the pilot.

The Marine aircraft began launching off the the USS Kearsarge, which was roughly 130 nautical miles from the pilot - within 30 minutes of the crash - according to a senior Marine officer in the Pentagon.

Marine officials attributed the quick reaction time to the versatility of the Osprey. "Total time from launch to return - 90 minutes roundtrip. That's what an Osprey gets you, that speed," the official said.

According to official reports, the Harrier close air support element dropped two laser-guided 500-pound bombs in the area in support of the downed pilot. One MV-22 Osprey landed and extracted the pilot.

Once extracted, the aircraft returned to the USS Kearsarge with the pilot. Navy Lt. Lauren A. Weber, a doctor with the 26th MEU, said the pilot returned in good condition.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of the pilots will be released pending next-of-kin notification.

The recovery force remains on standby while aviation assets are conducting operations in any environment. All seven Marine expeditionary units are trained, equipped and ready to conduct similar missions when called upon.

26th MEU: Harriers Over Ajdabiyah

March 20, 2011

By Andrew Lubin

USS Kearsarge. In an effort to safeguard the Libyan populace and infrastructure in and around the city of Ajdabiyah from further attacks by Qadaffi regime forces, the 26th MEU, as part of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, launched a second round of strikes by AV-8B Harrier jump jets yesterday, March 20.

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, at sea -- A Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit 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. (Photo by LCpl Michael S. Lockett)

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 calls for efforts resolving the unrest in Libya, which includes the removal of Libyan Leader Muammar al-Qadaffi’s forces from Ajdubiyah. These latest strikes by the MEU aimed at preserving the sanctity of the city and the safety of the civilians within it.

“Our primary concern was ensuring the people inside Ajdubiyah were safe from Qadaffi’s artillery and tanks,” said Col Mark J. Desens, commanding officer of 26th MEU. “Everything we are seeing following these strikes indicates that his forces are now less capable of threatening the town than before.”

All pilots and planes returned unharmed, as previous Coalition air and missile strikes have severely degraded Qadaffi regime air defense capabilities.

LEATHERNECK'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH 26TH MEU CO

Leatherneck's Andrew Lubin talks to Col Mark Desens, Commanding Officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, about Operation Odyssey Dawn and the capabilities of the Marines in supporting the operation.