Reporter leads unexplained so far
- RWI-BRIEF-004-L1Where did the C-146A go when it flew back toward Libya from Pantelleria later on 14 Dec 2015?
Where / whenPantelleria (LICG) → Libya, afternoon/evening 14 Dec 2015
WhyThe Aviationist reported the aircraft flew 'again towards Libya later on the same day from Pantelleria'. No destination has been reported. The Pentagon said personnel 'traveled to Libya' with Libyan concurrence — the second trip may be the one that was planned.
Would settle itAFRICOM/SOCAFRICA: second destination; Flightradar24: historical playback of 13097 / MAGMA30 for 14 Dec 2015.
- RWI-BRIEF-004-L2Did the team arrive 'with their vehicles' — and on what?
Where / whenAl-Watiya, 14 Dec 2015
WhyHoR member Ali Tekbali tweeted that 20 US soldiers were 'dropped with their vehicles'. Only one aircraft is on the record, a 21 m Dornier 328; Photo 3 shows gear loaded onto a light vehicle of unknown ownership.
Would settle itLibyan Air Force / Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion: whose vehicle is in Photo 3; any second aircraft.
Summary
One aircraft on the record: USAF C-146A 11-3097 (N307EF), 524th SOS. Landed in the dark, on the ground at least 2.5 h, tracked north as MAGMA30 to Pantelleria (483 km), then flew back toward Libya the same day to an unreported destination. No inbound track; no other aircraft reported or visible on the base; no airstrikes anywhere in western Libya Oct 2015–Jan 2016.