Posted on 02/26/2011 11:43:34 AM PST by mojito
Two RAF Hercules aircraft were involved in the operation, which involved the SAS and forces from Special Boat Service.
Both planes have landed in Malta, the Ministry of Defence confirmed, while HMS Cumberland is on her way back to Benghazi to evacuate anyone else left in the chaos-stricken country.
Britain has also evacuated its diplomatic staff and suspended the operations of the British embassy in Tripoli.
Workers departed on the last Government-chartered flight, which took off for Gatwick carrying 53 British nationals on Saturday afternoon.
Liam Fox, the defence secretary, said: "I can confirm that two RAF C130 Hercules aircraft have evacuated around 150 civilians from desert locations south of Benghazi.
"HMS Cumberland is on her way back to Benghazi to evacuate any remaining entitled persons from there.
"HMS York has arrived in Valletta to take on board stores so it can assist the evacuation effort if required. And a number of other military assets remain available to support the FCO led efforts to return civilians from Libya"
The desert rescue was reported to be extremely complex and relied on information about the likely response from Libya's air defence systems
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Our dad flew this plane for many years. On his way home to Travis Air Force Base he would fly over our home and gun the engines back-and-forth. We would hear this and all us seven kids would run out into the front yard and wave to daddy. Two hours later, just like clockwork, he would drive up and we jumped for joy. We made our highest jump of joy when he returned from Vietnam. There is a common thread in many Freep posts “where do we find such men.” We had the privilege of growing up as the sons and daughters of one such man. He survived WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and came home each time, thanks to the Lord and some good Irish luck. He had a drawer full of Medals, but the only time he would put them on his uniform was when his CO (Commanding Officer) would order him. He loved those C-130’s, they were tough and could land almost anywhere.
I wonder if the Brits have enough sympathy for their poorly led former colony that they will rescue stranded Americans too. It’s sad that we have dropped behind them as a world power, but that’s the choice that the parasites, the dead voters, and the fictional constituents made back in 2008.
If they evacuated 150 people on two aircraft it must have been pretty crowded with the troops as well. As you say a very useful piece of equipment.
Around 1960, some bright Texans looked where they hadn't, and the rest is history. Used to be a USAF base, and was run by a nice old (and oiled) king, Idris. Was there. Is now one of the biggest hellholes on Earth, thanks to Ghadaffi.
imPOTUS, LOL. That’s new to me, and I like it so much that I will steal it.
Listen up, Plagiarist. After you use it 10,000 times, I am telling the Moderator.
I think I saw a report on the BBC were an American was taken on board HMS Cumberland (I think a few Irish people were rescued to), he said in his drawling US accent ‘I never thought I’d be glad to see the Union Jack’. So I think it is already happening...
Hats off to SAS and SBS
Good post. The UK gets no credit for anything Libya related for the next 50 years.
Good post. The UK gets no credit for anything Libya related for the next 50 years.
Good point, it is a national disgrace.
All those involved (in freeing him) should face trial for treason and once convicted extradited to the US to face charges there and hopefully execution at the end of it.
It is an outrage that they sold out the memory of those killed for business reasons.
That’s a win-win for the rest of the UK, as we wouldn’t be paying Gordon Brown’s pension any longer if the Americans give him the needle.
Saw that! Thanks for the ping!
No problem. Thanks for the reply.
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