The F-111 Aardvark Was the U S Air Force s Unstoppable Strike Fighter nationalinterest.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalinterest.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Remembering Operation El Dorado Canyon: 35th Anniversary
Remembering Operation El Dorado Canyon: 35th Anniversary
An F-111F Aardvark from the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron launches in support of Operation El Dorado Canyon at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 14, 1986. The operation was the conclusion of extensive joint service and multinational military cooperation designed to ensure the complete and total destruction of terrorist training camps linked to the attack in the African nation of Libya. (Courtesy photo)
Capt Gregory Ball, USAFR, Ph.D.
Since the 1960s, the relationship between the United States and Libya was marred by accusations of terrorist activity and charges of weapons smuggling and espionage. Tensions between the two nations came to a head in 1986. In January of that year, the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Libya. In March, the U.S. Navy retaliated after Libyan forces launched surface to air missiles at Navy aircraft. On April 2, 1986