Apache helicopters to be sent into Libya by Britain

The Guardian ^ | Monday 23 May 2011 | Richard Norton-Taylor

[cranked]

..all part of that ongoing kinetic humanitarian mission, huh? =.=

[DTA]

One word: TROPOJA.

How many AH64 will crash this time on a `training` mission ?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks MinorityRepublican.

Britain and France are to deploy attack helicopters against Libya in an attempt to break the military stalemate

Gaddafy just has to outlast the will of the voters of the UK and France. Rising body counts and/or spiraling costs will weaken it, or rather strengthen it in the other direction.

[MinorityRepublican]

[ArmstedFragg]

...and when the first one is shot down and the crew taken captive, what then?

Checked the Apache catalog, couldn’t find the “civilian protection” model.

[GeronL]

the Guardian, and the liberal media. that condemned Bush for his “blood for oil” war, support this ?!?

They will support anything they claim to oppose if its their side doing it

[af_vet_rr]

the Guardian, and the liberal media. that condemned Bush for his “blood for oil” war, support this ?!?

A lot of people in Britain hate Gadaffi with a passion. Whether it's Lockerbie or Gadaffi helping supply Irish terrorists with weapons, they definitely do not like him. It's bizarre to outsiders, but we've never had Libya providing weapons to terrorists within America, so it's hard for a lot of us to understand.

[Lurker]

Sarc?

Not at all. Check the range on those machines.

[DTA]

Daffy only has to put a reward of $10m on Prince Harry's head and Libyan forces and armed civilians will be eager to shoot any chopper they see or hear.

"Shoot down a Crusader prince and get $10M".

Better than any arcade game.

Prince Harry need not fly Libyan skies at all after that.

Last time AH-64 were brought to battle they ended up miserably.

It is an insult to great nation of Apache to call this flying POS by their name.

[mewykwistmas]

Google "Highway of Death Iraq"
And the terrain is vastly different from North Albania

[1066AD]

The Brits are sending in additional SAS and possibly artillery and tanks to assist the Libyan rebels. There is talk that the US may send in ground forces in July if this does not resolve itself by then.

Britain has little depth any more, as this goes on and on we're going to be dragged into it more and more. Why ?

I thought Bosnia was crazy (why couldn't EU do it), this is insane, it's not our fight, let the EU sort it out, it's in their backyard and they're more desperate for Libyan oil than us. Interesting, a Clinton pushed for both.

[Brad from Tennessee]

[From where will these helicopters come?]

NATO would probably set up a base at an airport or airstrip in the rebel zone and fly the equipment and personnel in or they could operate from ships. These helicopters are going to be more vulnerable to ground fire than the jets.

[globelamp]

Impressive how quickly that whole “protecting civilians” schtick turned into “breaking the military stalemate”.

Of course, almost anything could be said to somehow “protect civilians” in some way, so carry on...

[Vanders9]

It says in the article. HMS Ocean. An LPH operating off the coast.

[Vanders9]

We should all be absolutely out, or all absolutely in. I agree with the previous poster - halfway house war is a serious mistake.

[gleeaikin]

“Britain has little depth any more.” Europe has been counting on us to be their military for years. We have 35,000 in Germany if I remember correctly. That’s why they have been able to build up their welfare entitlements. Time to draw down our European troops and let them pay for their own military.

[redgolum]

Libya sends a lot of oil to Europe, so it is ok to fight a war for their oil. Just not the stuff we use.

Note, no sarcasm tag.

[panthermom]

It is crazy!!! All the murdering tyrants in this world and NATO responds within a few weeks to Libya on a threat.

[screaminsunshine]

Starting the “Arab Union” is a little messy. Obama of Arabia.

[Yo-Yo]

Not at all. Check the range on those machines.

Ah, "where will these helicopters be based?" Form the fine article:

"In a significant escalation of the conflict, the Apaches – based on HMS Ocean – will join French helicopters in risky operations which reflect deepening frustration among British and French defence chiefs about their continuing inability to protect civilians in Libya."