Aliska ~:”.. but I see these photos of those weapons in Libya, they look like big pointy grenades on broomsticks. “
Those would be RPG’s . They are ideal against non-moving , or slow moving vehicles , or stationary targets.
The accuracy and distance range is somewhat limited .
In Benghazi in the recent past ,there is a history of between 10,000 - 20,000 MANPADS / ‘Stinger’ missles.
These are guided missles that can track , alter course , and be ‘heat-seeking’ (engine exhaust) for aircraft , both commercial and military.
Those stockpiles of munitions and missles have fallen into the hands of fundamental Islamacists especially including al Qada .
Even the Benghazi story got edited by the State Dept. , with the assault being blamed on “the movie” that no one ever saw .
Enough said ..
MANPADS I didn't know but if they are stinger missiles, those I knew were heat seeking. And the ones we have to worry about bringing down planes.
It was beyond dumb arming those bozos with those things. I don't have to write out where some could end up.