U.S. Cost of Libya War at $608 Million: Pentagon

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 11 Apr 2011 14:33

WASHINGTON - The cost of the air war in Libya for the U.S. military has reached $608 million, a U.S. defense official said April 11.

The cost estimate covers the period from the start of international air strikes in Libya on March 19 to April 4, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

U.S. officials previously had said the operation had cost $550 million through March 28.

The Pentagon has estimated the air campaign will cost the United States about $40 million a month, even after NATO allies took the lead in the U.N.-mandated operation designed to protect civilians against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

For the U.S. Air Force alone, the war costs about $4 million a day, the top civilian in the service told reporters last week. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said he expected that figure to come down with European allies carrying out bombing raids while U.S. aircraft play a support role.

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