page_title: Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986)
section_title: Hostilities
hierarchical_section_title: Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986) / Hostilities
caption_attribution_description: English: A U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A-105-GR Tomcat (BuNo 160908) from Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) "Be-Devilers" lands on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) during flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea on 12 February 1986. VF-74 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard the Saratoga for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 26 August 1985 to 16 April 1986.
context_page_description: In the Action in the Gulf of Sidra, the United States Navy deployed aircraft carrier groups in the disputed Gulf of Sidra in the Mediterranean Sea. Libya claimed that the entire Gulf was their territory, at 32° 30' N, with an exclusive 62 nautical miles fishing zone. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi asserted this in 1973, and dubbed it "The Line of Death". The United States claimed its rights to conduct naval operations in international waters, a standard of 12-nautical-mile territorial limit from a country's shore. The engagement followed the 1981 Gulf of Sidra incident and preceded another incident in 1989.
context_section_description: On 23 March 1986, American aircraft from the three aircraft carriers crossed the "Line of Death" and began operating in the Gulf of Sidra.
  On 24 March at 06:00 (CET), USS Ticonderoga, accompanied by two destroyers, USS Scott and USS Caron, moved south of the "Line", covered by fighter aircraft. A Libyan missile installation near Surt (Sirte) launched two Soviet-made SA-5 "Gammon" surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at 07:52 (CET), toward F-14A Tomcats of America's VF-102. The missiles missed their target and fell harmlessly into the sea. Two additional SA-5 missiles were launched at 13:52 toward McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets from Coral Sea acting as the southernmost combat air patrol (CAP); but the missiles were jammed by an EA-6B Prowler.
  Two hours later, two MiG-23s took off from Benina air base with orders to intercept and shoot down some of the U.S. fighters. Before the Libyan aircraft could get close enough, a U.S. E-2C Hawkeye detected them and alerted two F-14s from VF-33, which intercepted the MiGs at 20,000 feet (6,100 m). The Libyans began aggressive head-on maneuvering in an effort to get into firing position on the two F-14s ⁠— ⁠a clear sign of hostile intent.
  The F-14 wing leader reported "excessive hostile actions and intentions", which led the air warfare commander aboard USS Saratoga to give the pilots the signal "warning yellow, weapons hold"; this meant the F-14s could open fire if necessary. An intense dogfight ensued, though without any missiles being fired. The F-14s dropped to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) where they had a distinct advantage over the MiG-23s and positioned themselves between the sun and the Libyans.  The F-14s moved into a six o'clock position behind the hostile MiGs, locked on to them with radar and acquired AIM-9 Sidewinder tones, which meant they were ready to shoot the Libyans down. The MiGs moved off, seeming to follow a return course to their base. However, one of them reversed course, turning against the F-14s; the F-14 wing leader acquired the MiG, and requested permission to open fire. Before permission could be granted, the MiG-23 turned away and headed south.
  Several Libyan patrol boats headed out towards the U.S. battle group, and the Americans responded by sending up aircraft to counter them. When one of the patrol boats locked on to American aircraft with its fire control radar, USS Richmond K. Turner, a Leahy-class destroyer leader who had been serving as anti-aircraft radar picket ship defending the carrier group's right flank responded by firing an RGM-84 Harpoon missile, striking the vessel and setting it ablaze; it was subsequently towed back to Benghazi. This was the first surface to surface firing of a Harpoon missile in combat. USS Saratoga launched A-7 Corsair II aircraft armed with HARM missiles from Attack Squadron VA-83, A-6 Intruder aircraft armed with Harpoon missiles and cluster bombs from VA-85 and EA-6Bs from VAQ-132. USS America had A-6Es from VA-34 and EA-6Bs from the Marine squadron VMAQ-2 and USS Coral Sea had A-6Es from VA-55 and EA-6Bs from VAQ-135 in the air; these were supported by several E-2Cs, F-14s, F/A-18s and KA-6Ds. The first air strikes occurred around 19:26 (CET) when two A-6 Intruders from VA-34 found a French-built La Combattante IIa-class patrol boat; the ship was first disabled by a Harpoon missile fired by one of the A-6 Intruders from VA-34 and then destroyed by Intruders from VA-85 using Rockeye cluster bombs. Forty minutes later, F-14s, F/A-18s, A-7Es and EA-6Bs headed towards the SA-5 site near Surt at low level and suddenly climbed, which caused the Libyans to activate their radars and launch missiles at the incoming aircraft; this prompted the A-7Es to launch several HARM missiles. The strike formation then descended to 98 feet (30 m) above sea level and turned back. It is unknown if any of the U.S. missiles struck their intended targets, but A-6Es from VA-86 and VA-55 turned to engage several Libyan missile boats.
  At around 21:55 (CET), two A-6Es from VA-55 attacked the Nanuchka-class corvette Ain Zaquit which was heading towards USS 
caption: An F-14 from VF-74 lands on USS Saratoga
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