Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

RAF pilots used Google Maps for Libya rescue
The Telegraph ^ | Mar. 7, 2011

Posted on 03/07/2011 6:14:41 PM PST by nuconvert

RAF pilots who flew a daring rescue mission in to the Libyan Desert used a black and white Google Maps printout to land.

The brave humanitarian crew had none of the usual high tech guidance and support as they swooped to rescue British oil workers amid last week's chaos and bloodshed.

Flight Lieutenant Stuart Patton was in the cockpit for the nerve-racking mission, which Tripoli's air traffic control had not sanctioned.

The 29-year-old from Colchester, Essex, said: "I'd been handed some information from the internet that had been hastily printed out, including a black and white satellite image from Google Maps.

"You had to laugh and we knew were going to have to conduct an assessment of the site ourselves to see if it was suitable for landing."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: brits; googlemaps; libya; raf

1 posted on 03/07/2011 6:14:48 PM PST by nuconvert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Google maps,,,,COOL! What did our pilots use on their missions to rescue American citizens? Oh,,,,wait,,,,nevermind.


2 posted on 03/07/2011 6:20:00 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

The SAS is an utterly elite unit, not ordinarily sent into a mission which is little more than a four-star cluster f***. Sorry about that. Evidently, some politician had a wet dream about variety of military matters.


3 posted on 03/07/2011 6:20:00 PM PST by Jack Hammer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

The old curse “may you live in interesting times” is landing on this generation. We’re living through the beginnings of the collapse of western civilization.


4 posted on 03/07/2011 6:23:12 PM PST by EternalVigilance (...in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & & every thing dear to the American character... W. Travis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

They ought to at least spring for a color printer.


5 posted on 03/07/2011 6:24:31 PM PST by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Britain is finished.


6 posted on 03/07/2011 6:26:51 PM PST by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino
What did our pilots use on their missions to rescue American citizens?

Travelocity?
7 posted on 03/07/2011 6:31:20 PM PST by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

Google maps?.... Don’t they mean GOOGLE EARTH?


8 posted on 03/07/2011 6:31:53 PM PST by max americana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

And what did they use to communicate with HQ....Skype?


9 posted on 03/07/2011 6:33:22 PM PST by max americana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert
"You adapt. You overcome. You improvise. Let's move." - Gunny Highway, Heartbreak Ridge.

Yes it sucks that this was apparently all the support he could get. It is beyond commendable that he sucked it up, and got it done.

Our CIC? He just sucks.

10 posted on 03/07/2011 6:40:45 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obama now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EternalVigilance
We’re living through the beginnings of the collapse of western civilization.

That my friend is not a new thought, but I have not given up on us yet. However, I did read this a number of years ago:

“How to find Happiness during the Collapse of Western Civilization” (R.J. Ringer 1983)

note- I am pretty sure he is a freeper now

11 posted on 03/07/2011 7:26:39 PM PST by Texas Fossil (Government, even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Sounds like some very field expedient improv.


12 posted on 03/07/2011 7:33:29 PM PST by Free Vulcan (Vote Republican! You can vote Democrat when you're dead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: max americana
Google maps?.... Don’t they mean GOOGLE EARTH?

Not Google Earth ...

Scan around and zoom in, and flip on Satellite View.
13 posted on 03/07/2011 7:40:47 PM PST by brityank (The more I learn about the Constitution, the more I realise this Government is UNconstitutional !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson