The USAF's Longest Fighter Combat Mission Ever, Operation El Dorado Canyon 86 - Animated

Summary by Krater

An animated recreation and analysis of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the 1986 US military airstrikes against targets in Libya. The video details the long-distance flight of F-111 bombers from the UK, naval operations by the US 6th Fleet, and strikes on targets in Tripoli and Benghazi.

From the video

Answers: How did Operation El Dorado Canyon unfold?

• Operation El Dorado Canyon
• 1986 US bombing of Libya
• F-111 strike aircraft
• US 6th Fleet naval operations
• Mid-air refueling operations

What it concludes

• Operation El Dorado Canyon was the longest fighter combat mission in American military history.
• The air strikes successfully targeted Gaddafi's personal residence at the Bab al-Aziziya barracks, forcing him into hiding.
• Italian government secretly warned Gaddafi of the imminent strike 30 minutes before his complex was destroyed.
• 37 Libyans were killed and 93 left injured during the operation, including civilians.
• Two F-111 crew members were killed after their aircraft was shot down and its capsule hit the water.