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3 June 2011
Last updated at 22:57 ET
British Apache attack helicopters have been used over Libya for the first time, Nato has confirmed.
They attacked and destroyed two military installations, a radar site and an armed checkpoint near Brega, the Captain of HMS Ocean told the BBC.
French Gazelle helicopters also took part in simultaneous attacks on different targets in Libya for the first time.
On Wednesday, Nato extended its mission in Libya by 90 days.
The BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said: "The Captain of the HMS Ocean reported that those targets had been successfully destroyed and both Apaches returned to their base on HMS Ocean."
"This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters," said Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, Commander of Operation Unified Protector.
"We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions."
Missile risk The decision to send four British Apache helicopters to Libya was made by Prime Minister David Cameron on 27 May.
Their deployment via HMS Ocean means there should be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that previously relied on the use of Tornado and Typhoon aircraft.
But the Apaches operate at lower altitudes and could be targeted by Libyan forces loyal to Col Gaddafi, which still have access to thousands of surface-to-air missiles.
Nato intervened in Libya after the UN passed a resolution for the protection of civilians, amid a two-month revolt inspired by other uprisings in the Arab world.
It has intensified raids in recent weeks with attacks on command-and-control structures in the capital Tripoli.
The intervention was initially led by France, Britain and the US until 31 March - when Nato took over. It was given an initial 90 days, which would have run out on 27 June.
On Wednesday, UN investigators accused government forces in Libya of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Rights experts said they had found evidence of crimes including murder and torture, in a pattern suggesting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was behind them.
The UN mission also said opposition forces were guilty of abuses that would constitute war crimes, although they were not so numerous.
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They attacked and destroyed two military installations, a radar site and an armed checkpoint near Brega, the Captain of HMS Ocean told the BBC.
French Gazelle helicopters also took part in simultaneous attacks on different targets in Libya for the first time.
On Wednesday, Nato extended its mission in Libya by 90 days.
The BBC's defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said: "The Captain of the HMS Ocean reported that those targets had been successfully destroyed and both Apaches returned to their base on HMS Ocean."
"This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters," said Lt Gen Charles Bouchard, Commander of Operation Unified Protector.
"We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions."
Missile risk The decision to send four British Apache helicopters to Libya was made by Prime Minister David Cameron on 27 May.
Their deployment via HMS Ocean means there should be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that previously relied on the use of Tornado and Typhoon aircraft.
But the Apaches operate at lower altitudes and could be targeted by Libyan forces loyal to Col Gaddafi, which still have access to thousands of surface-to-air missiles.
Nato intervened in Libya after the UN passed a resolution for the protection of civilians, amid a two-month revolt inspired by other uprisings in the Arab world.
It has intensified raids in recent weeks with attacks on command-and-control structures in the capital Tripoli.
The intervention was initially led by France, Britain and the US until 31 March - when Nato took over. It was given an initial 90 days, which would have run out on 27 June.
On Wednesday, UN investigators accused government forces in Libya of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Rights experts said they had found evidence of crimes including murder and torture, in a pattern suggesting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was behind them.
The UN mission also said opposition forces were guilty of abuses that would constitute war crimes, although they were not so numerous.
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