[gandalftb]

NATO advisors are already in Benghazi. The Brits get a lot of oil from Libya and need to get the key oil port of Benghazi running again. Qaddafi is threatening to bomb the port, hence the urgency.

We will be needed to suppress the SAM sites first. Qaddafi is using merc's from Chad and the French are interdicting.

Two VC10 refueling tankers are already operatng out of RAF Akrotiri. Several more are needed for a full enforcement of a no-fly zone.

There is considerable concern that Qaddafi could use his known stores of mustard gas, delivered by his remaining air force.

Libya has 31 SAM sites:S-75 (SA-2 GUIDELINE), S-125 (SA-3 GOA), and S-200 (SA-5 GAMMON) defenses. The only SAM sites representing a threat to multiple aircraft are the S-200 locations at Tripoli, Misratah, Surt, and Benghazi, as they have multiple 5N62 (SQUARE PAIR) engagement radars. Libya has seventeen active early warning radar sites, used for SAM system target acquisition and track handoff, and GCI control of fighter units.

The following image depicts the SAM coverage. SA-2 zones are red, S-125 zones are light blue, and S-200 zones are purple. Obviously, targeting is not an issue, we just need to get all assets in place.

[skeeter]

Big friggen mistake.

[RexBeach]

Hmm. That’s a pretty long hop isn’t it? From Cyprus, even if tankers are available?

[ClearCase_guy]

I know Europe gets a lot of oil from Libya. If Libya wants to attack the sovereign nation of Libya and create a government there, then that's their business.

Libya has not attacked the US, and their oil is theirs, not ours.

There is no reason for the US to participate in this unilateral action. There is not even any UN invovlement. Whatever happened to the endless rounds of UN resolutions that must be approved before any nation can do anything?

[tallyhoe]

We should use military force it is in our best interest. Take out the tyrant once and for all! 2000 to 5000 marines with tanks and helicopter gun ships ought to do the job! Of course we ask the Libyans if they would like our assistance and after we capture Mommar we turn him over to the rebels. We need to have a presents here to show everyone we are behind democracy. This would send a clear message to Iran!

[Paladin2]

Libya was apparently a colony of Italy for a few years. Let the Italian Armed Forces take on this task.

[Allegra]

Watching this...

verrry closely.

[TexasCajun]

As Erkel eats ice cream, golfs, shoots hoops!

[iopscusa]

Idiot Cameroon has no ability to project any military into the theater. How much can his masters, the EU project. We know who they think will do their bidding, NATO aka US Military.

[redgolum]

Have fun guys. But keep the US out.

We have had our fun, and don’t need to slap the proverbial tar baby again.

[Armaggedon]

Why not free Iran?

[camerongood210]

The positioning of those SAM facilities seems to underscore who Libya is really afraid of: Israel.

[BradtotheBone]

I am all for us and the Brits going after Qaddafi. However, I suspect that the only reason why they are so focused on this is because of the contracts BP signed with the Libyan Government on oil before they released Megrahi for “humanitarian” reasons from a Scottish Prison.

[elpadre]

are the Brits in AQ’s pocket now.

They will get their oil regardless of whether Qaddafi or the Islamists have it.

[bassmaner]

Good. Let the Euros take the lead on this for a change.

Notice that it took weeks before Zero said a word about Libya, and even then he was circumspect about criticizing Qaddafi personally. Anything Zero would do probably would need to be cleared with Qaddafi's buds Calypso Louie Farrakhan and Rev. 'GD AmeriKKKa' Wright anyway ... if anything, he'd probably intervene on Qaddafi's side.

[PAMadMax]

Ok, at best US Special Forces or maybe Marines should be used alongside SAS forces to capture/disable/destroy SAM sites in coordination with rebels. That should be the extent of US Involvement. Disable those SAM sites, turn over operable one to rebels, extract US forces and the Brits may be able to enforce a no-fly zone. Even though I would like no US involvement, if we have to that should be the extent.

[DTA]

A refresher for Cameron:

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"

Was there a man dismay'd?

Not tho' the soldier knew

Someone had blunder'd:

[silverleaf]

Big brave talk from the country that threw Blair in the crapper for helping George Bush topple a murderous tyrant who was killing his own people and who already had defied 17 UN resolutions and sanctions

and from a govt that cut a deal with Qadaffi that released the Lockerbie bomber in exchange for oil

If brits want to “free Libya” (to what? the muslim brothers? al Qaeda?) let them go right on ahead. Oh and by the way, they just annnounced a major RIF in their own military

“For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”

But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot”

[Realism]

There’s 6.3 million people there. If 1/6th of the population rose up Qaddafi would be gone or dead in a few hours. The West needs to stay out of it.

[jda]

Ok, so where is the leader of the free world???

He’s not walking the picket lines in Wisconsin!

He’s not telling Qaddafi to leave ... now!

He’s not looking for ways to cut the budget!

Must be golf day.

[tanknetter]

David Cameron threatened Colonel Gaddafi with military action last night, promising a no-fly zone and arms shipments to his enemies.

And how do you plan to do that, Dave??

Six years ago the UK could quickly put two light carriers with Sea Harrier FA.2s and Harrier GR.7s into the Gulf of Sidra and be able to conduct a wide range of military operations with a reasonable chance of success (while not supersonic, the FA.2 with its Blue Vixen radar and AMRAAMs was a world-beater in the air-2-air role). AND be able to put a third light carrier into the mix within a short amount of time.

Six months ago the UK could quickly put two light carriers with Harrier GR.9s into the Gulf of Sidra and be able to conduct a limited set of military operations with moderate-high risk (given inability to provide organic air-cover).

Today the Brits are down to one light carrier, one helicopter assault ship/LPH and NO ability to take fixed wing aircraft to sea (because they HAVE NO fixed wing aircraft that can be taken to sea). The Brits can reasonably put their subs into the Gulf of Sidra and pop Tomahawks off at Libya ... but anything more than that would be utterly suicidal.

Unless they are looking at joint operations with the Spanish and Italians, who DO have aircraft carriers and aircraft (radar and AMRAAM-equipped AV-8B Harriers) that provide the capabilities that the Brits have mindlessly tossed away over the last 6 years.