Six F-16 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, landed at an Italian base on Sunday ahead of their deployment to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.The six planes could be seen landing at the Decimomannu base on the island of Sardinia after a logistics plane also arrived at the base.The UAE said Thursday it had committed six F-16 and six Mirage fighters."The UAE air force has committed six F-16 and six Mirage aircraft to participate in the patrols that will enforce the no-fly zone now established over Libya," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said then.A former UAE air force commander said last week that his country had delayed its military deployment because of disagreements with the West over the unrest in Bahrain, where there is a Shiite-led revolt against the Sunni royal family.Two Mirage fighter planes carried out Qatar's first mission over Libya accompanied by two French jets, the French military said Friday.First Era .Melao - Francisco Mela .Ship of Agony .Mike Shiver and Marc Damon .Mentor Roska | Feeline (Boxed in)
UAE fighter jets arrive in Italy for Libya operations
Six F-16 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, landed at an Italian base on Sunday ahead of their deployment to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.The six planes could be seen landing at the Decimomannu base on the island of Sardinia after a logistics plane also arrived at the base.The UAE said Thursday it had committed six F-16 and six Mirage fighters."The UAE air force has committed six F-16 and six Mirage aircraft to participate in the patrols that will enforce the no-fly zone now established over Libya," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said then.A former UAE air force commander said last week that his country had delayed its military deployment because of disagreements with the West over the unrest in Bahrain, where there is a Shiite-led revolt against the Sunni royal family.Two Mirage fighter planes carried out Qatar's first mission over Libya accompanied by two French jets, the French military said Friday.First Era .Melao - Francisco Mela .Ship of Agony .Mike Shiver and Marc Damon .Mentor Roska | Feeline (Boxed in)