Danish fighter jets deployed to Libya

Late Thursday evening, Danish time, the UN Security Council adopted the resolution, which launched the international operation in Libya. Friday night around midnight, the Danish Parliament unanimously adopted the mandate for Danish participation to the operation. At that time the government had already received pre-approval for a transfer of the Danish fighter jets to the Sigonella Base in Sicily. The transfer took place Saturday morning. The fighter jets are now operationally deployed, making them an active part of the operation over Libya.
 

“It is proof of professionalism and good will that within three days the Danish Defence is ready to present fighter jets for operational deployment many thousand kilometres from Denmark. I am proud of the speed with which we have been able to suit the action to the UN resolution and the parliamentary resolution. We owe gratitude to the personnel for working around the clock with great efficiency during the last few days – both in the Skrydstrup base and in the Sicily base,” says Minister of Defence, Ms. Gitte Lillelund Bech.
 

With this action, Denmark is now an active part of the international operation. Within the last 24 hours, there has been fighting in and above Libya. The minister of defence emphasizes that due to this, the Danish effort is not without risk.
 

“I know that the Danish pilots are very well trained, and I am certain that the Danish contribution will make a difference as a part of the international effort to stop Gaddafi’s assault on the civilian population. Armed conflicts are by nature dangerous, and our present effort is not without risk. I am therefore pleased to have a united parliament behind the Danish contribution to stop the assaults which we have been witnessing in Libya,” Gitte Lillelund Bech ends.