LIBYA (Merged) Use this thread ONLY
MOD PRESS STATEMENT
The Chief of Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Officer Major General John Lorimer said:
“British Armed Forces, as authorised by the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, have participated in a co-ordinated strike against Libyan Air Defence systems. In addition to the Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) launched from a Trafalgar Class submarine, I can now confirm that the RAF has also launched Stormshadow missiles from a number of Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew direct from RAF Marham as part of a coordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.”
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:
“We made clear that if Gaddafi did not comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, it would be enforced through military action. Our Armed Forces have therefore participated in a co-ordinated international coalition strike against key military installations.
“We have launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles from a Trafalgar Class submarine and Stormshadow missiles from Tornado GR4s. The fast jets flew 3,000 miles from RAF Marham and back making this the longest range bombing mission conducted by the RAF since the Falklands conflict. This operation was supported by VC10 and Tristar air-to-air refuelling aircraft as well as E3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft.
“HMS Westminster is off the coast of Libya and HMS Cumberland is in the region ready to support operations. Typhoon aircraft are also standing by to provide support.
“Our capable and adaptable Armed Forces are once again displaying their courage and professionalism. This action has provided a strong signal - the International community will not stand by while the Libyan people suffer under the Gaddafi regime.”
TJ
The Chief of Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Officer Major General John Lorimer said:
“British Armed Forces, as authorised by the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, have participated in a co-ordinated strike against Libyan Air Defence systems. In addition to the Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) launched from a Trafalgar Class submarine, I can now confirm that the RAF has also launched Stormshadow missiles from a number of Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew direct from RAF Marham as part of a coordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.”
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:
“We made clear that if Gaddafi did not comply with the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, it would be enforced through military action. Our Armed Forces have therefore participated in a co-ordinated international coalition strike against key military installations.
“We have launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles from a Trafalgar Class submarine and Stormshadow missiles from Tornado GR4s. The fast jets flew 3,000 miles from RAF Marham and back making this the longest range bombing mission conducted by the RAF since the Falklands conflict. This operation was supported by VC10 and Tristar air-to-air refuelling aircraft as well as E3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft.
“HMS Westminster is off the coast of Libya and HMS Cumberland is in the region ready to support operations. Typhoon aircraft are also standing by to provide support.
“Our capable and adaptable Armed Forces are once again displaying their courage and professionalism. This action has provided a strong signal - the International community will not stand by while the Libyan people suffer under the Gaddafi regime.”
TJ
Well done to all at Marham - which now joins Bruggen in the list of MOBs to have directly hosted offensive operations in recent years. And well done also to the AAR crews; I guess we have a new power projection case study to sit alongside the Black Buck and Kosovo raids!
100+ Tomahawks 24 hours after a UN resolution? There's a signal there somewhere.
Although I'm uncertain regarding the long term political objectives.
Although I'm uncertain regarding the long term political objectives.
Sarkozy facing relection and wanting to prove how tough he is but bet Libya will start showing how much cash he has gotten over the years.
Having staged my Tornado through Sigonella during a war on a Sunday, I know why the boys & girls crossed their legs and flew back to Marham!
The longest unit of time, after the eon, is the "Italian bowser driver's lunch"
The longest unit of time, after the eon, is the "Italian bowser driver's lunch"
3000 mile long shuttle....now that is unrelenting pressure!
Seems a bit shorter than what the USAF had to do years ago as the French were hard headed about our using their Airspace for a raid by F-111's on Libya.
Good on the folks involved in the operation.....the Lib's are now engaged with first class forces!
Seems a bit shorter than what the USAF had to do years ago as the French were hard headed about our using their Airspace for a raid by F-111's on Libya.
Good on the folks involved in the operation.....the Lib's are now engaged with first class forces!
On a slightly more light-hearted note:
The MOD have removed Libya from the list of Countries who can file an on-line complaint regarding military low-flying.
Ministry of Defence | Contact us | Low Flying Complaints
Must be someone's job to keep this up to date....
_____________________
Now the die is cast - good luck to our guys and gals.
The MOD have removed Libya from the list of Countries who can file an on-line complaint regarding military low-flying.
Ministry of Defence | Contact us | Low Flying Complaints
Must be someone's job to keep this up to date....
_____________________
Now the die is cast - good luck to our guys and gals.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Capt P U G Wash,
"FB11, you are clearly from the school of the Tripwire Strategy - escalation and de-escalation obviously not part of your game plan."
and of course:
"FB, I guess the UN believed my argument more!"
Maybe you should talk to the UN and let them know they've made a mistake? You can send them a copy of the FIH at the same time and explain it would have been much better to demonstrate intent by wing-waggling.
Unless taking down the IADS isn't a tripwire strategy?
"FB11, you are clearly from the school of the Tripwire Strategy - escalation and de-escalation obviously not part of your game plan."
and of course:
"FB, I guess the UN believed my argument more!"
Maybe you should talk to the UN and let them know they've made a mistake? You can send them a copy of the FIH at the same time and explain it would have been much better to demonstrate intent by wing-waggling.
Unless taking down the IADS isn't a tripwire strategy?
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: US
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now that the UK, US and France have reacted to Gaddaffi people will begin asking why we did not respond to Mugabe or even the riots in Egypt that have argueably sparked the current turmoil.
They say ignorance is bliss but please prunes .. do 5 mins research before posting!
Let me say this loud and clear as someone with 15 years in US government service with .. how shall I put this .. let's just say 'priviledged access to certain information':
The regimes in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain and Saudi cannot be compared with that of Gadaffi, to understand this read: http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...l-gadaffi.html
HM
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: korat thailand
Age: 83
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^Quote When this is over, can we get back on with scrapping the aircraft and ships that we don't need? 
“Hang on! It’s the Prime Minister. Can we put it all back together again?”
“Hang on! It’s the Prime Minister. Can we put it all back together again?”
Last edited by crippen; 20th Mar 2011 at 07:34.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: bristol
Age: 56
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Surely you understand the difference between the Libya situation and the revolution in Egypt? In Libya there has been wholesale employment of the apparatus of the state against its own people. In Egypt, the Army effectively ended up protecting the protesters, who in turn were (broadly) peaceful. So there is no comparison whatsoever between the two."
Oddly, that looks just like a comparison to me......So perhaps you can
Next on the list:
I well remember one particular PPRUNER who was aghast at seeing a Noraid collection while at a USAF function!
Now to the real purpose of my post.
God bless the French for starting this off, due to at least having enough aircraft to take part. Keep safe to the French and Other forces taking part in this action, not least the RAF who are using old aircraft sourced from stupidly overstretched resources. That the RAF can mount this action, while still (only just) covering other theatres is bordering on miraculous IMHO.
This is not 'can do', but 'can do, and then a bit more with one hand behind your back'.
Oddly, that looks just like a comparison to me......So perhaps you can
Next on the list:
I well remember one particular PPRUNER who was aghast at seeing a Noraid collection while at a USAF function!
Now to the real purpose of my post.
God bless the French for starting this off, due to at least having enough aircraft to take part. Keep safe to the French and Other forces taking part in this action, not least the RAF who are using old aircraft sourced from stupidly overstretched resources. That the RAF can mount this action, while still (only just) covering other theatres is bordering on miraculous IMHO.
This is not 'can do', but 'can do, and then a bit more with one hand behind your back'.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: In the sticks
Posts: 9,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the UK forces are having to fly 3000 mile round trips to attack Libya.
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed. Nice one David
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed. Nice one David
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YES
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder If the US had pushed "OP Eldarado Canyon" would we be in this position?
The Americans always had a Green spectled view of the "Old" country I wonder how they would have reacted to cross border raids into the Irish Republic and tactics they have been using in Afghanistan & Iraq if we'd applied them in Ireland.
why is no one talking about HMS Illustrious? the Invincible class was 3 carriers!
The Americans always had a Green spectled view of the "Old" country I wonder how they would have reacted to cross border raids into the Irish Republic and tactics they have been using in Afghanistan & Iraq if we'd applied them in Ireland.
why is no one talking about HMS Illustrious? the Invincible class was 3 carriers!
I said destination unknown, could be destination an Italian or Greek airbase!
our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: South Wales
Age: 63
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hell Man,
There are not many people here who don’t agree with the fact Gadhafi is an evil man and needs to be toppled.
But let me put a couple of simple questions to you:
Are we doing this in the name of democracy and to allow people freedom or are we doing it to topple Gadhafi, because he is a bad man?
Is it acceptable to allow the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi or wherever to cause civilian deaths because the people of those countries demonstrating also want democracy and freedom?
There are not many people here who don’t agree with the fact Gadhafi is an evil man and needs to be toppled.
But let me put a couple of simple questions to you:
Are we doing this in the name of democracy and to allow people freedom or are we doing it to topple Gadhafi, because he is a bad man?
Is it acceptable to allow the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi or wherever to cause civilian deaths because the people of those countries demonstrating also want democracy and freedom?
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the UK forces are having to fly 3000 mile round trips to attack Libya.
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed. Nice one David
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed. Nice one David
ts) to cut flexible and effective assets (but thats another post).Surely an Aircraft Carrier in the Med would be more 'cost effective' (than 4 Tornados having to be refuelled to fly 3000 miles to drop a few bombs - maybe not as ridiculous as the Vulcan raids during the Falklands) and more importantly more flexible to react to circumstances on the ground i.e. quicker to respond?
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the UK forces are having to fly 3000 mile round trips to attack Libya.
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed.
A week after it is scrapped our one and only aircraft carrier is now really needed.
Operating GR4s from a secure rear area with established logistics chain using stand off weapons is a good way to go at this stage. If the sortie rate ramps up or sortie durations (say CAP) increase then a FOB might be a better idea.
Until the Libyan OCA forces are degraded a tad more sitting a carrier within range might not be smart. I'm afraid this op with plenty of potential NATO FOBs surrounding the AOR is not a good justification for the carriers.
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Age: 52
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's wrong with all these blinkered fools who keep whingeing about the RN's loss of the carriers? This had no bearing on this op whatsoever! The fact is that the RAF are able to conduct 3000nm bombing ops; it's one of the reasons why they are around rather than relying solely on comparitively short-range embarked aircraft. Did they need to mount the op from 1500nm away? Clearly 'their airships' decided that on this occasion they did for whatever reason, but there are other options for basing in the region one would have thought that you would imagine would be explored for sustained ops.
So rather than constantly bemoaning loss of one capability, why not say well done to the crews that are displaying a different one. Well done fellas, fly safe.
So rather than constantly bemoaning loss of one capability, why not say well done to the crews that are displaying a different one. Well done fellas, fly safe.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,048
Received 2,920 Likes
on
1,249 Posts
From guardian.co.uk:
12.21am: A message on Libyan state television says the Libyan government had decided to end efforts to stop illegal immigration into Europe, citing a security source. ...
Gadaffi thinks he's let loose his ultimate weapon, but he's wrong, 'cuz all enlightened Europeans welcome more diversity. It's pervasive!
12.21am: A message on Libyan state television says the Libyan government had decided to end efforts to stop illegal immigration into Europe, citing a security source. ...
Gadaffi thinks he's let loose his ultimate weapon, but he's wrong, 'cuz all enlightened Europeans welcome more diversity. It's pervasive!