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Wee Willy II

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March 20, 2011 at 3:20 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2316457

Wee Willy II
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A reporter of I Tele (a french news chanel) up at Benghazi said: After the rebels have pushed back the Gaddafi troops tonight, Gaddafi’s troops have gathered a 40km S/W of Benghazi. This morning the french fighters bombed it and destroyed Approx 40 vehicules and 4/5 Tank.

Anyone know what type of air to ground munitions or aircraft for that matter the French are using. Isn’t the Rafale typically an air superiority fighter?

Also wondering if we may see Marine attack helo’s enter the fray off the Kersage.

March 20, 2011 at 3:17 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2316461

Wee Willy II
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Oh God… Saudi Arabia is worried about them, some people say Alqueda is behind these uprisings..

“Some people” give al Qaeda too much credibility however it appears the hand of Hezbollah and Iran could be fomenting the Bahraini uprising and may also have some kind of hand in the Libyan situation in order to gain prominence in a future government. I doubt that is the case in Egypt although they could easily hide within the new Arab nationalism.

March 20, 2011 at 3:10 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2316465

Wee Willy II
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News that Qatar air assets are being readied for deployment gives one pause that IFF will become paramount with so many different nations participating. Understand Italy has now joined the coalition. Charles de Gaulle should be on station within 24 hours.

With the participation of B-2’s, F/A 18 (unknown variants), mudfigters (Marine Harriers) and EA-18-G Growlers, it seems the American partcipation is hardly just a support role. There are reports of strikes against Gadaffi’s armoured columns outside Benghazi and if that starts resembling the notorious “Highway of Death” look for some defections from the UN mandate. The Arab League is already making noise about the coalition exceeding their mandate. Seems these people thought this would simply be a sanitized airshow over Libya.

What looms is Gadaffi hunkering down in Tripoli with the country split and rebels controlling the east and possibly territory inbetween. Any attempts to root out mad Mohammar would have to be on the ground as collaterial damage to civilians would be far too risky.

Thus a long protracted campaign is in the offing unless Gadaffi’s cadres start defecting or abandoning their posts.

March 20, 2011 at 1:28 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2317029

Wee Willy II
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Storm Shadow video launched from Mirage.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=596_1192506717

March 19, 2011 at 8:00 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2317519

Wee Willy II
Participant

Looks like some growlers are going in.

Click through the photos on this page..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12794623

What are the pods on the wingtips?

Pods on wingtips are ALQ-218 jamming antenna.

http://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/photos/?c=y&articleID=112957169&page=5

My prediction Thursday that Growlers would be used is confirmed.

Latest news is US have launched cruise missile attack and RAF Tornado’s have joined the action. Campaign well underway.

March 18, 2011 at 3:24 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2318698

Wee Willy II
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Cunning old Gadaffi. By calling for a cease fire he has blunted the principal reason for a strike on Libya. This guy hasn’t been in power 40 years for nothing. The issue will now get bogged down in the UN political morass and he will wait out the rebels holding out in Benghazi because he has regained hold on the oil ports.

If his air force does not rise to challenge coallition aircraft he can say that the UN forces have overstepped their mandate causing more debate. Look for some action and then a UN declaration that activities have been suspended while diplomacy ensues and of course Gadaffi remains in power.

Sadly the No Fly Zone was implemented two weeks too late.

March 18, 2011 at 3:03 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319081

Wee Willy II
Participant

[QUOTE=plawolf;1720158]What do the Libyans have that would require Growlers for? As far as we know, they could not even hit rebel Su22s operating with zero EW support dropping iron bombs or using unguided rockets.

I think the biggest mistake would be to underestimate the air defence capabilities of the Libyans. I’m certain the military will not and make sure they have effective countermeasures…possibly not the EA-18G’s but definitely other assets. But the military are always keen to try out their new equipment and this would be a logical circumstance. That is what I based my original comment on.

March 18, 2011 at 2:59 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319085

Wee Willy II
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Quote from US military command>

The United States would likely use bombers and fighter planes, possibly including F-16s, F-15s and F-22s, to strike ground targets, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz has said.

______________________________________________

Possibly this is being said to intimidate Gadaffi’s regime but it was said by the Chief of Staff so it bears some credibility.

March 18, 2011 at 12:50 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319110

Wee Willy II
Participant

From MSNBC>

Canada will contribute six CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce a Libya no-fly zone, sources told CTV News.

March 18, 2011 at 12:30 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319112

Wee Willy II
Participant

I think the US could be involved in a support role such as the Growlers and AWACS with the Growlers possibly using HARM’s as well as electronic measures. They could be part of a strike package.
The BBC said the US might not be involved at this time…what time do they mean.

I’m assuming that some EA-18G’s might have been moved to theatre in the time leading up to this decision. Not sure if any squadrons are already deployed on any carriers in the region (Persian Gulf or Med).

March 18, 2011 at 12:13 am in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319170

Wee Willy II
Participant

Wonder if we are going to see first use of the EA-18G Growlers. This would be an ideal situation.

March 17, 2011 at 11:20 pm in reply to: Air Action Over Libya (Merged) #2319206

Wee Willy II
Participant

BBC reporting that Britain and France with ‘Arab assistance’ will likely commence actions. No US involvement at this time but possibly AWACS assistance if craft in area. SA also has AWACS of course.

PS. Wee Willy II was P-51D I flew in at Chino, CA in 1998 in case anyone wonders about name as it could easily be misinterpreted.

From BBC:
Earlier reports suggested that if the resolution were passed, air attacks on Col Gaddafi’s forces by the British and French air forces could begin within hours.

It is not thought that the US would be involved in the first strikes, but the British and French are likely to get logistical backup from Arab allies.
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