SWBKCB

BBC News - Libya: French plane fires on military vehicle

glad rag

Has bad boy Ghaddafi have any means of "reaching out" and touching those who take action against him?

RileyDove

BandAide -the funding came from whoever put money in the collection boxes !! To believe that it only came from Irish Republicans is somewhat simplistic - I have first hand knowledge of the depth of understanding in the U.S of the troubles and its shocking.
Western governments have been intervening in the affairs of African nations for decades -witness the arms trade and the sale of combat aircraft in Africa .

BandAide

That's true. In fact a quadrant of my own family is quite fond of Gerry Adams, and I've seen the collection jars in bars in Boston. I don't know exactly who put the dollars in the jars, but there they were.

But the US government never even winked at that, not even when Kennedy was president. IRA terrorism was never supported officially, or outside the Irish community. Don't worry yourself about that. I never had any sympathy for it either, for what it's worth.

The arms trade is trade. And the Cold War made strange bedfellows. But in the past two decades, Western interaction with Africa, I assert, has been more than benign, focused almost exlusively on aid, not on influence.

Justanopinion

Oh that's awkward, can't use any of those.

As for nobody using a carrier, apart from Charles De Gaulle on her way.

60024

The French have been quick out of the blocks, to give them their due, but then they are desperate to sell Rafale to the Arab world, so will be very keen to display its multi-role capabilities before the Typhoons turn up.

60024

A CNN reporter has just said that the British are sending Typhoon and Torpedo aircraft........

draken55

FYI

CF-188 Hornets and CC-150 Polaris aircraft of the Canadian Armed Forces staged through Prestwick this afternoon.

bakseetblatherer

Well it is going to be bloody tricky for whoever goes to sort friend from foe, rebel from gov't. I hope that the UN forces are clever enough to tell any rebel a/c to stay on the ground! As to grounds forces, stand by for a lot of friendly fire IMO.

Mike7777777

Is Malta the key .... again?

Phileas Fogg

I can understand Malta not wanting to become involved in an armed conflict, first of all it's in prime position for a reprisal attack, it depends upon tourism and this would decimate it's summer season, and long after it is all over and all the militaries have gone home Malta would be left sitting there with little, if anything, to defend itself with!

draken55

Malta granted overflight rights but has declined to permit aircraft to fly on NFZ missions from it's facilities.

INDEPENDENT online

Finnpog

I think that the reason that the French have been so quick out of the blocks, is that North Africa is 'their' empire and I imagine that they will be damned to play second fiddle to Perfidious Albion.

The have been "interested" (not officially involved) in Chad for some time if memory serves well.

I also would not dcry either their military or their government's record in providing interventions as it suits their national interest.
There might not be any alliance boots authorised, but I cannot believe that there are not Legionaires on a border somewhere or more than able to deploy from Corsica.

side salad

Air strikes have started, come back safe all involved. I have lost enough friends.

Easy Street

I beg to differ - Berlusconi has opened up his airfields and Danish F-16 have already arrived at Sigonella (link). Souda Bay looks to have been cleared for all missions except bombing (link); not a major snag since planned bombing missions can easily tank their way in from more distant airfields. With this in mind I would imagine that CAS aircraft would be best placed at Sig.

I would also presume that since the Greeks are to contribute 4 F-16s, they would be happy for Souda to be used for air-to-air armed aircraft, but we will see...

From Justanopinion's carping you would think he wants our efforts to deploy Typhoon and Tornado to fail!!

Bevo

ABC News reports:

SRENNAPS

Just said on News at half time Wales v France game that Brit planes are now involved. Do we know which Sqn?

Also Tomahawk missiles from HMS Cumberland??

Did I hear right?

Justanopinion

Not at all Easy Street. I have the upmost respect for both aircraft and operators, the debate was about suitable airfields for the British aircraft... And how a carrier would provide additional flex.

ian176

Latest Pentagon brief mentioned a RN Trafalgar class sub firing Tomahawk(s?). Spotter websites mentioning Gr4 airborne from Marham as well

500N

110 Cruise missiles from the US ships and subs and a few from one British Sub directed at 20 sites.

That's a fair start.