NATO - Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya) - Norwegian Air Wing sleeve patch, 2011

Embroidered on cloth base with a merrowed edging.

Operation Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. code name for the American role in the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued afterwards under NATO command as Operation Unified Protector. The initial operation implemented a no-fly zone that was proposed during the Libyan Civil War to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on anti-Gaddafi forces.

Royal Norwegian Air Force contributed 6 x F-16AM 15MLU fighter jets operating from Souda Air Base, Crete (until July 2011) and 2 x C-130J-30 tactical transport aircraft supporting the Norwegian forces (until July 2011). Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters flew daily missions, and as of the end of July 2011, when Norway ceased its participation in military operations, the Air Force had dropped up to 600 bombs during the conflict and flown about 17% of the sorties to that point.