US deploys attack helicopters to strike IS in Libya

Breitbart/AFP ^ | 8/23/2016 | staff

[bkopto]

The United States has begun using attack helicopters to target the Islamic State group in the jihadists’ Libyan former stronghold of Sirte, a defense official said Tuesday.

American jets have since the start of August been helping fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) retake the coastal city of Sirte, conducting dozens of strikes on IS fighting positions and equipment.

Lieutenant Commander Anthony Falvo, a spokesman for the US military’s Africa Command, said Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters had in recent days joined the operation.

[bkopto]

Waiting for a copter shoot-down, followed by bodies being dragged through the streets.

[MeganC]

I fear we won’t need to wait very long.

[Nifster]

WHAAAAATTT???

How can that be since IS is the jv team and has been stopped in its tracks? Plus once Gaddafi was gone Libya became a wonderful unicorn state.

[USNBandit]

This is a bad idea.

[Oldexpat]

We need to pray for our troops and pilots. It is likely that Stinger missiles are available.

[johniegrad]

I suppose it’s a moot point but do any military actions ever involve the consent of Congress anymore?

[BenLurkin]

Caligula made his horse a Senator.

The DNC made Al Franken, Hillary Clinton and Barack Hussein Senators.

[CondorFlight]

“I suppose it’s a moot point but do any military actions ever involve the consent of Congress anymore?”

That’s part of that old, outdated document called the Constitution.

Clinton fought Serbia without Congress.

Bush 1 really, really didn’t want to consult Congress over Iraq 1 (he had the mandate of the UN), but finally was convinced to do it.

Now, it’s only a historical curiosity. Now we understand that the people have no business in determining what the King’s policy is. The King does no wrong. And the peasants are his to use as he pleases.

[onedoug]

Exactly what soetoro is waiting for.

[Lera]

Gee the guy who got the Nobel Peace Prize sure did start a whole bunch of wars .

This is going to explode and spread all over norther Africa including Egypt.

[tet68]

fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA)

Uh, would that be BLM or Occupy Whatever?

Really, GovNatAcc. How far down the road of “Transformation”
is this?

[lacrew]

We know the ‘moderate rebels’ have TOW missiles...there’s footage of them shooting down a Russian helicopter with one.

[Old Yeller]

I hope barry doesn’t find out.

[Mr. M.J.B.]

A Constitutional Republic with co-equal branches of government?

That all died a long time ago and no one said a word.

The Republic’s last or penultimate recourse, the military, are busy buggering themselves and remain silent.

Forget about any Oath.

[OKSooner]

Hoo boy... I was about to ax a rather obvious question, but y'know what? Loose lips and all that stuff.

I think I better go have dinner.

[BwanaNdege]

“This is a bad idea.”

And what is your ‘Good Idea’?

JDAMs from 30,000 feet?

Cluster Bombs would be great, but the Press & Anti-War groups would come unglued.

We’d be left with round the clock coverage of Jane Fonda, Cher & John Kerry singing ‘Kumbaya”.

[USNBandit]

Helicopters in the absence of troops on the ground is a mistake. They are too easy to shoot down. JDAM from 30k work just fine, assuming you have somebody around capable of feeding good coordinates to the aircrew.

[Kickass Conservative]

Yep, Hillary was so proud when Ghadafi was Tortured and Murdered by the Mob. We came, we saw, he died...

Made her proud to know she could open Libya up for her ISIS Grandchildren.

[PIF]

Didn’t we get rid of our cluster munitions back when Bill was our dearly beloved leader?

If so, I’m sure the Russians would love to sell us some of their really nifty cluster munitions.

[BwanaNdege]

Helicopters in the absence of troops on the ground is a mistake. They are too easy to shoot down.

Having been both a grunt in the mud and a helo pilot, I can assure you that helos are too easy to shoot down WITH troops on the ground.

JDAM from 30k work just fine, assuming you have somebody around capable of feeding good coordinates to the aircrew.

And having been a Forward Air Controller (on the ground) I would not be too thrilled about being tasked with that job in Libya WITHOUT a company of Marines around me.

OTH, this would have been a great ride for a FAC!

It Could Have Been: The A-10B N/AW

"That’s right folks, everybody’s favorite fire-breathing pig had a two seat cousin, built from an existing single-seater as a demonstrator for an all weather and night attack expansion of the A-10A Warthog."