Operating Libyan dawn brought deployments to the Mediterranean area. The one at Souda (Crete, Greece) was the most interesting one. The multi-state NATO-led coalition began a military intervention - Operation Unified Protector - in and over Libya. The Qatari Emeri Air Force deployed five Mirage 5EDAs and one 5DDA. This 5EDA of 7sq is seen fully armed with air-to-air missiles. The QEAF only flew Combat Air Patrols (air defence) during the operation, to prevent Libyan military aircraft to take off. They always flew in formation with French Mirage 2000s as Qatar was not used to NATO operations.

This photo is copyright © Stephan de Bruijn, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

It was added on 21 January 2019, and has since been viewed 3504 times.