Military experts think more than 50 fighter jets would be needed to enforce the zone.
The unit had most recently enforced no-fly zones in Iraq.
The countries involved in enforcing the zone had linked their participation to regional backing.
A routine mission was conducted to enforce the no-fly zone.
We will enforce the no-fly zone, both South and North.
I flew missions over Iraq enforcing the no-flight zone in the late 1990's.
But he admitted: 'We have never ruled out a possible need to enforce the zone.'
A full-scale attack would then only be weeks away if American and other jets enforce the no-fly zone.
Allied jets have been enforcing no-flight zones in north and south Iraq since 1991.
But I repeat, it's a routine mission, and we will continue to enforce the no-fly zone until the world is told otherwise.