Swedish jets make first combat mission in 50 yrs

STOCKHOLM, (Reuters) – Swedish warplanes operating  from Sicily took part in NATO’s operations against Libyan leader  Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday, the first combat sortie by the  Nordic country’s air force since the early 1960s.

A Swedish military spokesman said the aircraft had carried  out a mission lasting about 40 minutes, according to plan, and  had returned safely to their base in southern Italy. He would  not provide any further information due to NATO regulations.

The last time Sweden flew combat missions was in the Congo  in the early 1960s, under United Nations orders.

The country, which has not fought a war for 200 years, sent  eight single-seat JAS 39 Gripen planes to the Sigonella airbase  at the start of this month to help patrol the no-fly zone  imposed on Libya by the UN.

The jets have been forbidden by Swedish authorities to carry  out any ground attacks other than in self defence, conditions  agreed with NATO.