We will be introducing a resolution to memorialize the 40th anniversary of Operation El Dorado Canyon on April 15, 2026 and to remember the sacrifices of Captains Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul F. Lorence.

Throughout the first half of the 1980's Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi had been financing providing training grounds for terror attacks against the United States, Western Europe and allies in the Middle East.

He joined forces with Abu Nidal, a violent and well-known terrorist in coordinating these attacks. Nidal's operatives, in November 1985, hijacked an EgyptAir transport, killing 60 passengers were killed when the Egyptians attempted a rescue.  Nidal's operatives conducted simultaneous attacks on Dec. 27, 1985, at airports in Rome and Vienna where 20 passengers and four terrorists were killed.

Qaddafi, who had been providing the training locations and funding for the operations, publicly praised the terrorists, called them martyrs, and applauded what he described as “heroic” actions.

Then, on April  5, 1986, a terrorist bomb exploded at the La Belle Discotheque in West Berlin, a location known for its popularity with U.S. Military personnel, just three days after another terrorist bomb destroyed TWA flight 840 as it flew above Greece.  Six Americans were killed in those two attacks along with dozens of Americans injured in the Berlin blast.

President Ronald Reagan signaled to Europe that he'd had enough of Qaddafi's and other Muslim terrorists operating with impunity and sought cooperation in planning a strike that would send a very clear message against Qaddafi's regime and his counterparts.  The cooperation was requested because it would significantly shorten the flight time for American aircraft coming from England.  Unfortunately cooperation from France, Spain and others on the Mediterranean coast was refused, causing our aircraft to fly out over the Atlantic to get to their targets in Libya.

Due to the intrepid nature of our Air Force airmen in and the capabilities of our FB-111 and airborne refueling aircraft we were able to overcome the logistical hurdles and, alongside U.S Navy F-18's  successfully strike Qadaffi’s military and terrorist organizations as well as Qaddafi’s compound.

Two Air Force airmen, Captains Fernando Ribas-Dominicci and Paul F. Lorence, would have their FB-111 shot down as they were heading out of Libyan airspace.  Captain Dominicci's remains were returned by the Libyans, however Captain Lorence's remains have never been recovered.

We are respectfully requesting the members to join us in this resolution to remember the sacrifices of these two airmen and all who participated in an operation that sent a clear message and made life safer for servicemen in Europe and the Middle East.