Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

U.S. deploys low-flying attack planes in Libya
Washington Post ^ | March 28, 2011 | Greg Jaffe and Karen DeYoung

Posted on 03/28/2011 4:42:42 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY

The U.S. military dramatically stepped up its assault on Libyan government ground forces this weekend, launching its first attacks with AC-130 flying gunships and A-10 attack aircraft, which are designed to strike enemy ground troops and supply convoys, according to senior U.S. military officials.

Their use, during several days of heavy fighting in which the momentum seemed to swing in favor of the rebels, demonstrated how allied military forces have been drawn deeper into the chaotic fight in Libya.

A mission that initially seemed to revolve around establishing a no-fly zone has become focused on halting advances by ground forces in and around Libya’s key coastal cities.

The AC-130s, which fly low and slow over the battlefield and are typically more vulnerable to enemy fire than fast-moving fighter jets, were deployed only after a week of sustained coalition attacks on Libyan government air defenses and radar.

Armed with heavy machine guns and cannons that rake the ground, they allow strikes on dug-in Libyan ground forces and convoys in closer proximity to civilians.

Their use in Libya could be “a significant game changer,” said a senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: obama0is0osama; obama4osama
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-60 next last

1 posted on 03/28/2011 4:42:42 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

They shouldn’t be there at!


2 posted on 03/28/2011 4:44:52 PM PDT by Vendome ("Don't take life so seriously... You'll never live through it anyway")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

Interesting to learn that C-130s are slower than fighter jets. Did these journos have to go to a special Military Journalist training school to learn this high-tech stuff?


3 posted on 03/28/2011 4:45:10 PM PDT by Flash Bazbeaux
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY; Squantos

What’s “No Fly” about gunships?

Are they going to use AC-130s as fighters?


4 posted on 03/28/2011 4:45:28 PM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

They’re just enforcing the “no-march” zone.


5 posted on 03/28/2011 4:45:55 PM PDT by Nachoman (Wisdom is learned, cynicism is earned.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

From a no fly zone to leading the AQ attack. Proud day for america.


6 posted on 03/28/2011 4:46:49 PM PDT by org.whodat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

At what point does this “kinetic military operation” become a “war”?


7 posted on 03/28/2011 4:47:24 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

I guess the USA is the air force of the downtrodden now.


8 posted on 03/28/2011 4:49:49 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open ( <o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

I note the compost didn’t dare enable comments.


9 posted on 03/28/2011 4:49:50 PM PDT by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

Stop this madness.


10 posted on 03/28/2011 4:50:10 PM PDT by Davidlion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

KA-DAFFY DUCK!

11 posted on 03/28/2011 4:50:20 PM PDT by JOE6PAK (The universe is a lot safer if you bring a towel.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

Two of the nastiest pieces of equipment in the air today.
I love ‘em.

Problem is, who are they supporting?


12 posted on 03/28/2011 4:51:52 PM PDT by Dartman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

War is Peace.


13 posted on 03/28/2011 4:53:28 PM PDT by Humble Servant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

So much for the “no-fly” zone. BTT.


14 posted on 03/28/2011 4:53:28 PM PDT by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee

If I’ve learned anything at all from watching the You Tube and other videos on Libya, it is that Ghadaffi has a plethora of anti-aircraft weapons. Everything from 12.7MM up to 57MM. The 14.7s seem to be everywhere.
This bodes ill for slower aircraft. And the C-130 has a crew of 13...


15 posted on 03/28/2011 4:55:13 PM PDT by donozark ("Never wound a King." Machiavelli)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Humble Servant

Aha! I didn’t know that. Everything is clear now. Thank you.


16 posted on 03/28/2011 4:55:53 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: donozark

THey’ll stay far above undirected AA fire. A missile might get lucky, but not AA.


17 posted on 03/28/2011 4:58:23 PM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Free ThinkerNY

Those enemy ground troops and supply convoys won’t be violating Obama’s No-Fly Zone now!


18 posted on 03/28/2011 4:58:33 PM PDT by Iron Munro ("Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy." -- Ron Paul)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee
Warthogs and 130 gunships are sweepers. Anything in their path becomes obliterated. Very low, very slow, and one pass can cover every square foot of a football field in five seconds.

The 130 can level an entire forrest. Anyone not hit by bullets is skewered by splintered wood or crushed by falling trees.

19 posted on 03/28/2011 4:59:28 PM PDT by blackdog (The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Nachoman

Hummus Bellum Infinitum


20 posted on 03/28/2011 5:01:46 PM PDT by blackdog (The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson