Aircraft from Camp Lejeune's 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit have joined the effort to halt an offensive by the forces of Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi against Libyian citizens.

Capt. Richard Ulsh, spokesman for Camp Lejeune, said early Sunday that AV-8B Harriers from the 26th MEU had launched strikes against Gadhafi's ground forces and air defenses under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973.

"Protecting the innocent and conducting combined operations are what we are designed to do," said Col. Mark J. Desens, commanding officer of 26th MEU. "Our forces are doing both as part of the U.S. commitment to protect Libyan citizens."

The troops are aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, which deployed in August and was sent to the Mediterranean Sea earlier this month to provide capability for evacuations or humanitarian aid.