In 2011, the United States played a decisive early role in air operations over Muammar el-Qaddafi’s Libya, then embroiled in a growing civil war. After Qaddafi’s army signaled its intent to massacre demonstrators in the country’s eastern region, NATO declared a no-fly zone over Libya, instituted a naval blockade, and began to strike at Libyan military forces directly.

The US-led NATO campaign demonstrated the precision, standoff capabilities, and coalition integration of modern Western air power. American aircraft were used to open the battle space, degrade Libya’s air defenses, and enable NATO partners. To accomplish this,........

© The National Interest