Report 19860416A
Date
April 16, 1986
Administration
Ronald Reagan (Second Term)Location
LibyaWas 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: "a preemptive strike, directed against the Libyan terrorist infrastructure and designed to deter acts of terrorism by Libya, such as the Libyan-ordered bombing of a discotheque in West Berlin on April 5"
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "These self-defense measures were undertaken pursuant to my authority under the Constitution, including my authority as Commander in Chief of United States Armed Forces."
Claimed International Legal Basis
Self-DefenseDetails: "These strikes were conducted in the exercise of our right of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This necessary and appropriate action was a preemptive strike, directed against the Libyan terrorist infrastructure and designed to deter acts of terrorism by Libya."
Estimated Scope/Duration
Scope/duration specified
Details: 4/14/1986 7PM EST to 7:30PM EST
Type of Enemy or Mission
Nation-stateDetails: Libya
Military Activity
Air operations Use of naval forces/vesselsDetails: U.S. air and naval forces conducted bombing strikes on terrorist facilities and military installations in Libya
US Casualties Reported
Unknown
Details: "One F-111 with its two crew members is missing"
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
