Gaddafi’s “eyes and ears” air force no longer exists as a fighting force: RAF commander
March 24th, 2011 - 1:03 pm ICT by ANILondon, Mar 24(ANI): The United States-led military campaign has wiped out Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi’s air force, RAF Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell, who commands the United Kingdom’s air operations, has said.
Speaking at the Italian air base of Gioia del Colle, where the British RAF fighter pilots are based, Bagwell said that the allied forces had “taken away (Gaddafi’s) eyes and ears” and “destroyed the majority of his air force”.
“Effectively, their air force no longer exists as a fighting force and his integrated air defence system and command and control networks are severely degraded to the point that we can operate with near impunity across Libya,” the Daily Mail quoted Bagwell, as saying.
He also said that the RAF jets, which continue to patrol the no-fly zone over Libya, have so far remained unscathed by the action.
“I don’t know what he’s shooting at, but he can’t hit us,” Bagwell said.
“We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten or attack civilians or population centres,” he added.
Bagwell’s words came as reports emerged that international airstrikes forced Gaddafi’s tanks back from Misratah, giving civilians who endured more than a week of attacks a respite. (ANI)
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