been said that on the hundreds tomahawk lauched, Uk lauched 2 only, is that true?

That would be one a night then? What do you think? You are probably hearing second hand from somebody misinterpreting the MoD statement? Highlighted in bold.

The Chief of Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Officer Major General John Lorimer said:

“I can confirm that British Armed Forces have participated in another co-ordinated strike against Libyan Air Defence systems.

“For a second time, the UK has launched guided Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) from a Trafalgar Class submarine in the Mediterranean as part of a coordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/UpdatedSecondUkStrikeAgainstLibyanDefenceAssets.htm

TJ

Didn’t Poland deploy minesweepers? I wouldn’t be surprised if they have deployed spec-ops too (weren’t some PZLs spotted flying towards Libya a few days back?).

The PZLs were the US operated ones. They were noted routing through the UK.

TJ

According to this greek defence site, all 18 RAF aircrafts have requested landing permission at Souda (not Andravida).

Also, the NATO summit of 16:00 where the green light for commitment of the alliance to Libya was to be approved, was blocked by Turkey with german support. New reunion of the NATO at midnight (greek time).

http://www.onalert.gr/default.php?pname=Article&catid=2&art_id=4237

The Qataris must be having seconds thoughts. All greeks news sites yesterday were saying that Sarko had asked to let 8 Qatari M2000 to land to Souda, but they never showed up today… So they don’t seem in a hurry.

The first batch of RAF Typhoons are landing in Italy. Sky News running the footage of them landing.

The latest Pentagon briefing mentioned that the Qataris are in the process of being deployed.

According to the Libyan spokesman, they are trying to organise a mass civilian motor convoy to set out from Tripoli to Benghazi. Desperate measures by the Libyan regime!

It looks like his attempt at a ceasefire has failed to convince the Coalition? David Cameron has just stated that Gaddafi is in breach of obligations and we will continue to enforce the resolution. Sky News showing live footage of Tornado GR4s taking off.

TJ

Just seen for the first time myself on the BBC News – though already metioned by LMRaptor he previous page – a number RAF Typhoons taking off from RAF Coningsby.

I counted 7 Typhoons taking off each armed with 4 AMRAAM, 4 ASRAAM and 2 drop tanks and of course guns.

Pardon my ignorance, I understand that there are RAF Typhoons and Tornados already in southern Italy. Is it the same 7 Typhoons I counted taking off from RAF Coningsby or are they another lot going in? I’ve missed quite a bit.

Edit: C’mon chaps keep it a military aviation discussion. Theres another thread on the General Discussion part of the forum for the boring bits.

That deployment of Typhoons today from RAF Coningsby is the first deployment. The media have been camped out for days now outside the base. Aviation enthusiasts on other forums noted ten Typhoon FGR4s taking off.

TJ

who is conducting this multinational air attacks?

..and why Tornado instead of Eurofighter from Royal Airforce?

Typhoon isn’t cleared, as of yet, for Storm Shadow cruise missiles. RAF Typhoons are being deployed as of today. Sky News is reporting them leaving live this afternoon from RAF Coningsby in full air defence missile fit.

RAF Typhoons are cleared for a number of air to ground munitions, but I think that they will only be deployed to fly air defence profiles.

http://www.xisquadron.co.uk/News/AFM_GF/KingsofSwing.pdf

TJ

The full statement

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

pagen01 wrote,

Thanks TJ, hadn’t realised that.

No problem.

Phaid wrote

BFMTV reports the Armee de L’air states all of their aircraft returned safely to base.

Watch the Libyans drag out a Mirage wreck from their own forces for propaganda purposes?

TJ