Marine air power helped annihilate ISIS in former Libyan stronghold
By: Jeff Schogol, March 2, 2017 (Photo Credit: U.S. Africa Command.)
On Dec. 6, pro-Libyan government militia fighters raised their flag over Sirte, a former bastion of Islamic State terrorists, whom they had crushed with the help of Marine air power.
Between Aug. 1 and Dec. 6, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit launched more than 370 fixed-wing sorties and more than 280 rotary-wing sorties in support of the militia fighters from the Libyan city of Misrata, officials said. The AV-8B Harriers and AH-1W Super Cobras came first from the amphibious assault ship Wasp and later the amphibious transport dock San Antonio.
Through the entire campaign, Marines and sailors had a "gritty determination" to work all day and night to make sure that Marine aircraft were armed and ready to fly missions, said Col. Todd Simmons, 22nd MEU commander.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/articles/battle-for-sirte
