As the RAF readied itself for another day imposing the no-fly zone over Libya, the first female British Typhoon pilot flew into the skies and in action.
The pilot’s identity is yet to be known. She is the only woman who flies the fighter plane for the air force. A member of the British contingent stationed at the southern Italian airbase of Gioia del Colle, she clambered into the fighter plane Wednesday morning and took off before midday. (see above photo)
A total of three RAF Typhoons and two Tornadoes took off to the skies that morning.
RAF planes fly from Brize Norton airbase in Oxfordshire helped refuel GR4 Tornadoes operating over Libya to enforce the no-fly zone earlier on Wednesday. Many of the planes are refuelling over Cyprus, which hosts two British bases, but has said it does not want any involvement in military operations over Libya.
Western warplanes have flown more than 300 sorties over Libya and more than 162 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired in the United Nations mission to protect Libyan civilians against government troops.
President Demetris Christofias said that his government opposed any use of the British bases on the island to enforce the no-fly zone, but conceded it had no power to stop their involvement.
Source: The Telegraph
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