Operation El Dorado Canyon
$200M
Cost
Air only
Troops Deployed
2
US Casualties
60
Civilian Deaths
Overview
The US air strike against Libya in retaliation for the Berlin discotheque bombing that killed two US servicemen. F-111 bombers flew 6,400 miles round-trip from bases in England to strike targets in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Outcome
Gaddafi survived (the strike hit his compound). Libya continued sponsoring terrorism, including the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people. The attack's main effect was symbolic.
Key Fact
France denied overflight rights, forcing bombers to add 2,400 miles and 6 hours to the mission. One F-111 was shot down, killing both crew members.