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| Africa North |
| A-10s Invade Libya |
| 2011-03-29 |
| The U.S. military dramatically stepped up its assault on Libyan government ground forces over the weekend, launching its first missions with AC-130 flying gunships and A-10 attack aircraft designed to strike enemy ground troops and supply convoys. I suppose NATO requested them. The Washington Post learned of their deployment last week but withheld reporting the information until their first missions at the request of U.S. military officials. Until the morning after the Zero's speech. The use of the aircraft, during days of heavy fighting in which the momentum seemed to swing in favor of the rebels, demonstrated how allied military forces have been drawn deeper into the chaotic fight in Libya. A mission that initially seemed to revolve around establishing a no-fly zone has become focused on halting advances by government ground forces in and around key coastal cities. Quagmire! AC-130s were used to great effect during the two U.S. offensives in Fallujah, a stronghold of the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq in the early days of the Iraq war. al-Qaeda was in Iraq? Who knew? In Afghanistan, the military considers them particularly effective against entrenched militants, Diverting resources from the good war! Military officials consider AC-130s and A-10s well suited to attacks in built-up areas, although their use has led to civilian deaths. Brilliant, Holmes! |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #7 The Washington Post learned of their deployment last week but withheld reporting the information until their first missions at the request of U.S. military officials. Would the Washington Post have done this six years ago? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2011-03-29 21:09 |
| #6 So much for the no fly zone, AC130s and A-10s are direct ground support. I think the A-10s are all flown by Guardsman. The USAF wanted to get rid of them, not sexy like F-15s, until the Army said hell we'll fly em. They're trying to avoid another "Marsh Arabs" slaughter. The no fly didn't help there. |
| Posted by: Retired LEO 2011-03-29 15:23 |
| #5 You do realize that the A-10 Warthog is considered haram by most Moslems Only if used against the losing side. |
| Posted by: gorb 2011-03-29 10:48 |
| #4 So the Washington Post is admitting that Al Qaeda was in Iraq and it wasn't just a bunch of poor misunderstood freedom fighters behind the violence? I am still in the British Sepoy Rebellion/Blackjack Pershing mode of spray em with pig fat and bury them wrapped in pig hide. Hey Mahmoud pass the porkrinds will ya? |
| Posted by: Bill Clinton 2011-03-29 10:27 |
| #3 You do realize that the A-10 Warthog is considered haram by most Moslems. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2011-03-29 08:34 |
| #2 And your snark, of course :-) |
| Posted by: Steve White 2011-03-29 08:00 |
| #1 Oh, ratpoop! phil_b posted that yesterday! But this has got WaPo hand-wringing, worth the update, I hope! |
| Posted by: Bobby 2011-03-29 07:05 |