U.S. AV-8B Harrier fighter planes backed by Growler jamming aircraft carried out air strikes on Gaddafi's ground troops and air defenses.

Three U.S. Air Force B2 stealth bombers, and 12 F-15 and F-16 fighter jets took part in the airstrikes as well.

* Britain launched Stormshadow missiles from a number of Tornado GR4 jets flown from a Royal Air Force base in England.

The operation was supported by VC10 and Tristar air-to-air refueling aircraft and E3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft. Typhoon jets were also standing by to provide support.

British RAF Typhoon fighters have taken part in their first mission to help patrol the no-fly zone in Libya.

The air-to-air combat jets were seen in video footage taking off in wet conditions from the Italian base of Gioia del Colle on Monday.

The aircraft had arrived in Italy on Sunday and been put on standby.

The action is in support of a UN resolution imposing a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace, excluding aid flights, to "protect civilians".

The UK is part of an international coalition, also including the US and France, trying to protect civilians from attacks by forces loyal to the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

UN resolution 1973, which was passed last week, authorised member states to "take all necessary measures" to "protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack".

On Sunday, UK forces took part in a second night of missile strikes against Libya.

Tomahawk missiles were launched from a British submarine in the Mediterranean, but RAF Tornado bombers aborted their mission because civilians were in the area of their target.

Posted in: air strikes on Gaddafi's ground troops and air defenses.