March 19, 2011
With Gaddafi's forces advancing on Benghazi and the dictator threatening to hunt rebels 'house by house,' the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1973 authorizing a no-fly zone and the protection of civilians. French Rafale jets struck the first blow, attacking a Gaddafi armored convoy south of Benghazi. NATO rapidly assumed command of the operation, and Western airpower fundamentally changed the military balance, neutralizing Gaddafi's armor, air force, and command infrastructure over the following months.
Commanders