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WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – In the pre-dawn hours of April 15, 1986, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators aboard the USS America and USS Coral Sea launched into the darkness of the Mediterranean Sea on orders from President Ronald Reagan. This year marks the 40th anniversary of their pivotal role in a complex, joint strike against the state-sponsored terrorism of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi.
The airstrike was in response to the terrorist bombing of the La Belle Discotheque in West Berlin on April 5, which killed of two U.S. soldiers and wounded numerous others. The attack was traced directly to the Libyan regime, prompting a military response.
The operation, designated "El Dorado Canyon," was the culmination of extensive joint service cooperation designed to deliver a powerful message and dismantle terrorist infrastructure. Task Force 60, the naval battle force led by the two carriers, was tasked with striking key targets in the Benghazi region and protecting strike package.
A huge armada of United States Air Forces in Europe and Task Force 60 aircraft supported the joint strike force. While U.S. Air Force F-111s flew a long and perilous route from England, a massive naval support force was already in action. Navy A-7Es and Marine Corps EA-6B Prowlers launched from the carriers to suppress Libya's air defense radars and surface-to-air missile batteries.
As part of the intricate battle plan, Navy F-14 Tomcats and Marine F/A-18 Hornets flew combat air patrols, protecting the carriers and the Air Force bombers from Libyan counterattacks. Navy E-2C Hawkeyes provided critical long-range surveillance and strike control, while KA-6D and KA-7 tankers refueled the carrier aircraft, extending their reach and time on station. The Navy's A-6E Intruders then carried out devastating strikes on the Jamahiriyah Guard Barracks and Benina Airfield.
The mission was hailed as a profound success, sending an unmistakable message to Gadhafi that attacks on Americans would incur a serious penalty. The operation showcased the unique capabilities of naval aviation, projecting overwhelming power from the sea and enabling a complex joint operation far from home.
Reflecting 40 years later, Operation El Dorado Canyon is seen as an early example of U.S. resolve to fight terrorism. For the U.S. Navy, it was a flawless execution of sea control, power projection, and joint warfare, setting a standard for future operations and demonstrating the critical importance of carrier-based aviation.
The sailors and Marines of Task Force 60 who participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon demonstrated immense skill, courage, and professionalism. Their actions on that day stand as a shining example of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to defending American interests and will never be forgotten.
| Date Taken: | 04.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2026 13:31 |
| Story ID: | 562927 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 40th Anniversary of El Dorado Canyon, by PO2 Maci Sternod, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
