Report 19860326A
Date
March 26, 1986
Administration
Ronald Reagan (Second Term)Location
Gulf of SidraWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
Yes, described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
No, as described in/inferred from report
Joint/Coalition Mission
No
Purpose/Mission
Respond to threatDetails: In response to attacks "by Libya" on U.S. forces conducting freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, "U.S. forces took limited measures of self-defense necessary to protect themselves from continued attack."
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "The deployment of these United States Armed Forces and the measures taken by them in self-defense during this incident were undertaken pursuant to my authority under the Constitution, including my authority as Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Armed Forces."
Claimed International Legal Basis
Self-DefenseDetails: "The deployment of these United States Armed Forces and the measures taken by them in self-defense..."
Estimated Scope/Duration
Scope/duration specified
Details: 3/24/1986 8AM EST to 3/25 12:20AM EST
Type of Enemy or Mission
Nation-stateDetails: Libya
Military Activity
Air operations Use of naval forces/vesselsDetails: "The United States fired missiles at Libyan vessels and at Sirte, the missile site"
US Casualties Reported
No
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
