KA-DAFFY DUCK!
Posted on 03/28/2011 4:42:42 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
The U.S. military dramatically stepped up its assault on Libyan government ground forces this weekend, launching its first attacks with AC-130 flying gunships and A-10 attack aircraft, which are designed to strike enemy ground troops and supply convoys, according to senior U.S. military officials.
Their use, during several 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 ground forces in and around Libya’s key coastal cities.
The AC-130s, which fly low and slow over the battlefield and are typically more vulnerable to enemy fire than fast-moving fighter jets, were deployed only after a week of sustained coalition attacks on Libyan government air defenses and radar.
Armed with heavy machine guns and cannons that rake the ground, they allow strikes on dug-in Libyan ground forces and convoys in closer proximity to civilians.
Their use in Libya could be “a significant game changer,” said a senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
They shouldn’t be there at!
Interesting to learn that C-130s are slower than fighter jets. Did these journos have to go to a special Military Journalist training school to learn this high-tech stuff?
What’s “No Fly” about gunships?
Are they going to use AC-130s as fighters?
They’re just enforcing the “no-march” zone.
From a no fly zone to leading the AQ attack. Proud day for america.
At what point does this “kinetic military operation” become a “war”?
I guess the USA is the air force of the downtrodden now.
I note the compost didn’t dare enable comments.
Stop this madness.
KA-DAFFY DUCK!
Two of the nastiest pieces of equipment in the air today.
I love ‘em.
Problem is, who are they supporting?
War is Peace.
So much for the “no-fly” zone. BTT.
If I’ve learned anything at all from watching the You Tube and other videos on Libya, it is that Ghadaffi has a plethora of anti-aircraft weapons. Everything from 12.7MM up to 57MM. The 14.7s seem to be everywhere.
This bodes ill for slower aircraft. And the C-130 has a crew of 13...
Aha! I didn’t know that. Everything is clear now. Thank you.
THey’ll stay far above undirected AA fire. A missile might get lucky, but not AA.
Those enemy ground troops and supply convoys won’t be violating Obama’s No-Fly Zone now!
The 130 can level an entire forrest. Anyone not hit by bullets is skewered by splintered wood or crushed by falling trees.
Hummus Bellum Infinitum
“The 130 can level an entire forrest. Anyone not hit by bullets is skewered by splintered wood or crushed by falling trees. “
There are forests in Libya?
They’re going to use A-10 Warthogs? Obama is going to pollute Libya with depleted uranium! (Hey, we can’t do anything to stop this fiasco, but we can still taunt the pacifist Democrat crowd).
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Right you are org.whodat!
He's 'all in' now to do Al-Qaeda's dirty work - helping the Brotherhood take over North Africa.
Hope and Change.... Tragic.
Libya: Whack-a-mole practice.
Do they even have sagebrush?
It will stop these tanks and heavy items from leaving the ground.
How do they do against dispersed SAMs launched visually?
Not news. Recall the Clontoons had the WH military attaches serving punch at social functions (sarc)
Much of Ghadaffi’s defensive have been scattered, putting it mildly. But I’m sure he still has plenty of SAMs/Strellas, etc. Brits did lose a C-130 in Iraq-went low to avoid SAMs and got taken out by 37mm, I believe. Anyway, I was hoping we extract ourselves from this shit-storm before we lose people. I fear now we won’t be able to...
Our highly edumcated leaders finally realized that those high speed, shiny aircraft are, at best, marginally effective against ground troops.
So, the Air Force brass has to employ their two left handed, red haired, bast**D child from the wrong side of the tracks to do the job that the Steve Canyon, eyes of blue, manly men in their starched flight suits can not do.
Both aircraft have been repeatedly scheduled for the bone yard because the Air Force doesn't want them. Then they are rescued by the Army because they can accomplish the missions that the Army needs done.
Both aircraft have been in heavy demand since 1991; more so since 2001. While the F-16 fleet was burned out defending the US after 11 Sept 2001, the AC-130s and A-10s have been supporting the Army ground troops in up close and personal fights around the world.
One final thought - the total operational fleet of gunships is less than 25 - about two “short” squadrons of fighters (the typical fighter series squadron has 12 - 15 aircraft). The A-10s aren't much better. But my AF continues to buy F-22s and F-35s.
I doubt those SAMS would get off the trucks.
This is unbelievably stupid. Well, it’s our war now, that’s for sure.
Where are the Warthogs based?
I do think that the Air Guard has a huge fleet of C-130’s.
I know one unit used to be at the Willowgrove Naval Air Center in Suburban Philly. I loved watching them doing approaches and landings.
And all so we can have Al Queda supplant Qaddafi.
Off we go, into the wild-blue-yonder!
Aviano, Italy I believe.
I think they're just dropping off Obama leaflets and absentee ballots for the 2012 election.
One of my greatest fears is the 173rd Airborne at Vicenza,Italy will be air dropped simultaneously with a Marine amphibious landing. Obi would LOVE this to supplant his resume. After all, tough to be a “hero” on the golf course...
I’m guessing Italia. But I wouldn’t be shocked to learn they were flying out of eastern Libya, or that we have boots on the ground supporting said fields, plus FACs etc.
He ain’t THAT dumb.
Let’s hope not!
Italy eh? Interesting. What’s the flight time from there to Theatre, how much time does that give them on station, and can the ‘Hog’s be refueled in flight?
Not really expecting you to answer all of these, just thinking to myself mostly.
“They shouldn’t be there at!”
True. But NATO is the NWO’s global police force and they need the practice.
Yep, a nice well-placed Russian-made SAM or Stinger equivalent, and:
- The C-130 wreckage goes to the highest bidder (Iran, China?)
- Surviving crew get dragged onto Ghadaffi TV
- Obama caves, agrees to leave the "coalition" he touted via teleprompter this evening
The USAF can set up a forward base for refueling hogs in a desert on an old road in about ten minutes.
I’m waiting for Qaddafi to grab some low-haning fruit, namely all of the Western reporters still running around Tripoli.
That would up the ante a tad.
That’s the next thing I fear. These people seem to thrive on taking prisoners and showing them off. If they last that long...
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