[On board the lead KC-10 a radio is tuned into CNN evening news covering a statement by the presidential press secretary]

US military forces this evening have executed a series of carefully planned air strikes against terrorist related targets in Libya. These strikes have been completed and our aircraft are returning. Libya bears direct responsibility for the bombing in West Berlin on April 5th. That resulted in the death of Army Sergeant Kenneth Ford and injury to a number of American servicemen and others. In light of this reprehensible act of violence and clear evidence that Libya is planning future attacks, the United States has chosen to exercise its right of self-defense. It is our hope this action will preempt and discourage Libyan attacks against innocent civilians in the future. US forces struck targets that were part of Qaddafi's terrorist infrastructure, command and control systems, intelligence, communications, logistics, and training facilities. These are sites which allow Qaddafi to perpetrate terrorist acts in addition to the strikes at terrorist centers. The president also authorized limited defense suppression missions in order to defend our own forces engaged in this mission. Every effort was made to avoid civilian casualties and limit collateral damage, and to avoid casualties to those American services servicemen who are participating. The president will address the nation from the Oval Office at 9 pm.

[The presidential press secretary answers questions from the press]