Only if faced with the harsh financial choice of ditching one type for another to save money did the last October's decision make sense. However, should that question have been asked if it required adoption of a dubious threat analysis that put Afghanistan at the top at least until 2015 and a more benevolent global environment than has already proven to be the case? We do need to think again in the light of events.
In passing it's also worth pointing out that even though the UK launched Tomahawks from a sub in the Med and Stormshadow from Tornado's flying from the UK, the real clout on day one was from the US Armed Forces. Are we ever likely to act on our own again in future?
FYI. Harriers are now flying over Libya, there just not ours!
From Joint Force Maritime Component Commanders Odyssey Dawn Public Affairs
USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers from coalition bases and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) launched March 20, in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973, which is centered on protecting Libyan citizens from further harm.
The Growlers provided electronic warfare support over Libya while Harriers from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's ground forces and air defenses, joining an international effort to halt an offensive against the Libyan populace.