US moving Navy destroyers off coast of Libya

CNN ^ | 9/12/2012 | Barbara Starr

[Palmetto Patriot]

Two US Navy warships are moving towards the coast of Libya, two US officials tell CNN. The destroyers are the USS Laboon and the USS McFaul. Both ships are equipped with tomahawk missiles that could be used if a strike was ordered. Tomahawks are satellite-guided cruise missiles that can be programmed to hit specific targets.

[DesertRhino]

There used to be a carrier battle group and marines afloat in the med. Oh, and there USED to be Marines at embasseys.

[combat_boots]

To the shores of Tripoli, Baby.

[Emperor Palpatine]

The “Iowas” only had 16 inch guns.

If we raised the Japanese super-dreadnought “Yamato” you could mount her 8 18-inch guns on a platform and shell the crap out of the Muzzies.

[GonzoGOP]

OK reply to myself. I just pulled up the sat map of Benghazi. It is an man made port and the continental shelf is fairly close to shore. They could cover a retreat to the coast with their 5” guns. But that would mean putting billion dollar ships close enough to shore than any Libyan with an outdated Soviet era field piece might be able to sink them. Unlike the old BB the DDGs have bupkis in the way of armor. One hit and they are out of action.

I don't see Obama risking the ships. They will cruise back and forth out of range for political theater. Hitting the shores of Tripoli requires a president with guts. Along with enough firepower to make the bad guys keep their heads down. We have neither

[plain talk]

Yep political theatre. But Obama will not allow a crisis to go to waste. watch him wag the dog by lobbing some bombs in Libya to distract from his failed economy.

While all the attention is focused on Libya I am still pissed about our flag in Eqypt. Somehow that outrage & our country’s stupid apology has been forgotten.

[GonzoGOP]

If we raised the Japanese super-dreadnought “Yamato” you could mount her 8 18-inch guns on a platform and shell the crap out of the Muzzies.

The 16" 50s had better performance then the lower velocity 18.1" guns of the Yamato. In addition while of less weight than the Yamato the Iowas had a better arrangement that offered better protection to the ships vital areas. Finally the fire control on Yamato and Musashi was primitive compared with the Iowa. In the battle of Samar the Yamato scored a sum total of 0 hits with its main guns. Musashi never fired her main guns in anger so there is no way to know if she would have done better. The Iowa class in contrast had a well deserved reputation as 22 mile snipers.

The Iowas were the proof that at least in terms of a Battleship quality does beat size.

[blueunicorn6]

Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Hil-la-ry has got to go!

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Now if those ships do some shelling or blockading, that would be appropriate.

But they'll most likely just pull up at the coast and ride at anchor, uselessly. Don't expect a powerful and rightiously vengeful response with the Bamster-in-chief sitting in the oval office.

[EnquiringMind]

Obama shoots blanks.

[LibLieSlayer]

We have 50 Marines on sight so they probably are there for that reason... and for political show.

LLS

[petitfour]

Are we sure they are US ships or are we putting Russian naval vessels?

Ya have to ask with this administration. Maybe Pooty-Poot is calling the shots.

[wally_bert]

Raise and build it this way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYd8dC_WDVw&feature=related

[Mac94]

Exactly ... a chance in the run up to the general election to play commander in chief and get free air time while accomplishing nothing. See if he gets any bounce in the polls by blowing up a few tents in the desert?

[gundog]

I’ve noticed that when he needs to look concerned they make him look into the sun. Like this morning.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“My guess is a bunch of deserted tents will be bombed this month. Followed by a tough guy -in- chief speech.”

That’s my bet. This is going to be a Clinton moment. Maybe we will blow up a rebel chemical weapons depot that was stolen from the Syrians.

[kabar]

I doubt that we will fire anything into Libya. Unlike the Egyptian government, the Libyan government apologized profusely for the attack. We are still under the illusion that we can make Libya an ally.

[kabar]

They will have a burnt out consulate building to guard. No doubt we will be seeking an interim facility. The Marines will help the consulate folks to secure any classified materials and equipment still remaining there.

[plain talk]

actually I hope you are right. My concern is that Obama will actually listen to a Bill Clinton, lob some cruise missiles and garner support from the public. I don’t think there is any real retaliation possible until Obama is out of there and a systemic approach is taken.

[Tennessee Nana]

YES

Fire them lovely missles when ya get within range guys...

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

Yes, one would HOPE that this act would ELICIT a response...