Pentagon confirms that US is in charge of initial strikes against Libya

[Exilednight]

WASHINGTON – A U.S.-led coalition of warships, submarines and aircraft has begun strikes aimed at key elements of Libya’s integrated air defense systems along the Mediterranean coast, to be followed by the enforcement of a no-fly zone over northern Libya, supported by at least 25 ships, the Pentagon revealed Saturday.

<snip>

For now, the operation is under the command of U.S. Africa Commander Gen. Carter Ham, who was sworn to that post just last week, while U.S. Adm. Sam Locklear is commanding a joint task force from aboard the USS Mount Whitney.

Edited to add link: http://www.stripes.com/news/u-s-led-coalition-begins-attacks-on-libya-s-air-defense-systems-1.138336

So much for our limited role.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[spotbird]

2. A third war...heartbreaking...nt

[Xenotime]

58. I know. This is so sad. We were supposed to be getting out of wars not starting them.

[Exilednight]

3. From the NY Times

But the Pentagon said that American forces took the lead in the initial campaign to knock out Libya’s air defense systems, firing volley after volley of Tomahawk missiles from nearby ships against missile, radar and communications centers around Tripoli, the capital, and the western cities of Misurata and Surt.

[joshcryer]

4. Did you miss "initial strikes" in your topic and in the article?

What the fuck!

When the USs role is reduced I bet all ya'll forget all about the big nasty 'war in Libya.'

[spotbird]

7. As it has with our two other wars?

Sell it someplace else.

[Exilednight]

8. Nope, not at all. And I'm not going to try and predict the future like you.

Speaking for myself, everyday we are in Libya, regardless of our role, I will be against it.

[joshcryer]

15. I'm not predicting the future, I'm assuming my trust will not be betrayed.

The US said that it would be taking an enabling role. Yes that could be a 'leading role' since they aren't likely to be giving over their intelligence tech, but generally speaking we are going to be done bombing soon. Indeed most of the tank barrages have been French.

[Exilednight]

17. The French might be dropping the bombs, but we're telling them where to drop them. US command is

in charge of this operation. We were lied to again, but I don't expect anything less from our government when it comes to invading countries.

[ClarkUSA]

37. So what? Without the French and British, there would be no action being taken at all.

It's clear from the timeline of events that the US was not the one who took the lead in wanting to establish a no-fly zone. Quite the opposite. We brought up the rear. Just because the US leads NATO and has the best intel with which to craft startegy, does not mean that the French and British have not taken an active part in planning strategy, especially since it's their soldiers' lives on the line in the fighter jets that are in charge of establishing the no-fly zone.

[Gravel Democrat]

40. I'm assuming my trust will not be betrayed.

:rofl:

When you assume, well...

[Exilednight]

5. From WaPo

But her modest words belied the far larger role the United States played as international forces began an open-ended assault on Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s military capabilities. U.S. warships fired more than 110 Tomahawk missiles into Libyan territory to disable air-defense systems. And the French and British warplanes that began to enforce the emerging no-fly zone operate under U.S. command.

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, described the U.S. role to reporters at the Pentagon: “We are on the leading edge of a coalition military operation.”

[spotbird]

10. The familiar "Coalition of the Willing" nt

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. Completely unacceptable. This is a huge disappointment.

[Tatiana]

9. But.... I thought FRANCE was taking the lead on this?????

Seriously, when are people going to open their eyes and realize they've been played.... AGAIN!

[spotbird]

11. This came on quickly, obscured

by the crisis in Japan. Many people may not have realized we're at war again yet.

[Tatiana]

13. This is textbook "Shock Doctrine," if you ask me. n/t

[Exilednight]

14. Off topic, but

did you read that book? I've been thinking about buying it, but can't make up my mind.

[Tatiana]

22. I did and I highly recommend it. First checked it out from the library, then purchased it.

You can find used copies for $6 or $7. Klein systematically breaks down how officials use national or world crisis to ram through policies detrimental to the people. Because people are in such a state of shock, they don't realize the true harmful nature of the policies being rammed through (e.g. the Patriot Act).

[Exilednight]

24. Thank you, I shall check it out. n/t

[Exilednight]

12. The only way to counter their propoganda is to keep posting the truth and hope

some of them finally come around.

[joshcryer]

16. France and the UK better be.

[Exilednight]

18. But they're not. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

44. They are in charge of establishing the no-fly zone with their planes.

It's their soldiers' lives that are on the line, not ours. Without them, there would never have been a UN resolution, as well.

[Exilednight]

48. The US is charge, hence the word command. That's like saying that a PFC is in charge of fighting

a war and the Gen is just there to support him.

It's not how it works and you're being intellectually dishonest.

[ClarkUSA]

57. We are best equipped to do so. Yet the US was very late to agreeing to a no-fly zone.

Your implication that the US was gung-ho in taking on the no-fly zone strategy is false. Quite the opposite. But once committed sue to Gadhafi's genocidal rantings, the US naturally undertook the command role because we are best equipped to coordinate military action, given our role in leading NATO. France and Britain are fine with it. There is nothing sinister about it.

[Safetykitten]

26. France is bringing the food and wine. People really thought that the US would not be in the lead?

Staggering stupidity.

People really thought that Obama and Clinton would not use this as showing they are the in charge tough guys? We would let the republicans have THAT talking point? FRANCE? We would be following FRANCE?

[Tatiana]

28. I know. I'm amazed at how effective propaganda still is.

We will be contributing forces on the ground next. I'm sure of it. And the excuse used will be that they don't want to harm any more civilians with missile strikes, per the Arab League's request.

"We'll be greeted as liberators...."

[ClarkUSA]

30. The OP title is the one playing people. US ships took out Libyan air defense so French & British...

... planes could get through safely and establish the no-fly zone without fear of being shot down. That's SOP. The US operated from ships parked off the coast.

[ClarkUSA]

47. They did. Without their and Britain's incessant demands for a no-fly zone, there would be no action

The US always leads in NATO missions. And our ships are the best equipped to lay down cover fire on Libyan air defense to protect French and British fighter planes to go in and establish a no-fly zone without fear of being shot down.

[Exilednight]

49. This is not a NATO mission. Germany rejected a NATO mission, it's a UN mission. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

52. So? The command structure is similar & agreed to by France & Britain, who led the push for a no-fly

[Exilednight]

55. Why we might always be in charge of NATO missions, we're not always in charge of

UN missions. There have been times when US forces have been placed under the command of foreign commanders under UN missions.

So, I really don't see how you compare the two when they are nothing alike.

[ClarkUSA]

61. That's obvious. But this is not about handing out food parcels, is it?

[Exilednight]

53. Edit: delete wrong space.

[barbtries]

19. yep

last night i was hearing a very different story, right here on DU. and was told that i love ghadaffi. quadaffi. gadaffi. whatever. US-led and this from the stars and stripes.
:cry: no more war!!!!!!!!

[TBF]

20. K&R nt

[B Calm]

21. So when will we raise taxes on the wealthy to help pay for the war?

[Exilednight]

23. By the time someone has the political will to raises taxes on the rich, the rich will have

moved to some third-world country after they've raped this continent of it's resources.

[ClarkUSA]

25. Misleading OP title. New York Times: "France and Britain Lead Military Push on Libya"

Read more: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x686125

[Exilednight]

27. What the NY Times says

But the Pentagon said that American forces took the lead in the initial campaign to knock out Libya’s air defense systems, firing volley after volley of Tomahawk missiles from nearby ships against missile, radar and communications centers around Tripoli, the capital, and the western cities of Misurata and Surt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/world/africa/21libya.html?_r=1&hp

[ClarkUSA]

29. Um, the US job was solely to protect NATO flight crews from being shot down

They knocked out Libyan air defense from ships. That's it.

Incoming France and British flight crews were in harm's way, after all.

That's SOP, BTW.

[Exilednight]

32. Let me ask you a simple question: Who is in command of the operation?

[ClarkUSA]

35. Who was in command in WWII? The French & British are establishing the no-fly zone w/their planes.

Their lives are on the line, not American ones.

Without the French and British, there would have been no UN resolution. They are also the ones taking the lead in taking the fight right into Libyan military territory via their flight crews over the skies of Libya.

It's clear to the international community who took the lead here, and it sure wasn't the US. In fact, in Britain, they are lauding PM Cameron for being so prescient and calling Pres. Obama relunctant to take action until very recently, when Gadhafi threatened genocide against the "rats" who made up the opposition.

[Exilednight]

36. So you rather spout a talking point rather answering a simple question. Only one person can be in

command of a military operation.

[ClarkUSA]

38. I speak the truth.

You speak as if France and Britain have no input into what they're doing when it's their planes and their soldiers establishing the no-fly zone. The US is in command because we lead NATO and because we have the best intelligence, the best spy planes, and the best spy satellites.

[Exilednight]

39. The US is in command, glad to see you could finally admit the truth. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

42. lol! It was never in doubt, considering the US always leads NATO missions.

But to imply that France and Britain had no hand in creating strategy when it's their flight crews' lives at stake is total garbage.

[Exilednight]

45. This is not a NATO mission, it's a UN mission. NATO would not sign onto this mission

Germany vetoed a NATO led attack.

[ClarkUSA]

50. The command structure was agreed to by France and Britain, who both led the push for a no-fly zone.

[Exilednight]

51. That put the US in charge, gotcha. Thanks for agreeing that the US is in charge. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

54. We are best equipped to do so. Yet the US was very late to agreeing to a no-fly zone.

Your implication that the US is taking a gung-ho role in the no-fly strategy is misleading. I assure you that France and Great Britain have great input into how they are putting their soldiers in harm's way.

[Exilednight]

56. I never used the word gung-ho. I am simply stating that we are in charge of what is happening. It

falls under our command and we are running the show and directing the actors.

[ClarkUSA]

59. The implication was there. I smelled outrage brewing.

As for "running the show and directing the actors" I am certain that French and British strategic air commanders had a heavy hand in planning the deployment of their fighter jets in conjunction with US commanders.

[Exilednight]

60. I'm sure they get their input, but we get the final say. That's what command is. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

62. Considering we have the best spy satellites & the best spy planes, the US is the natural choice.

But nevertheless, French and British commanders would never agree to any strategy that they did not approve of, for the safety of their soldiers.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

31. "Shock & Awe" and "Smoke 'em Out", again. Another bogeyman, another war.

[ClarkUSA]

33. So?The US was in charge of laying down cover fire to protect incoming French & British flight crews

Without the French & British, this UN resolution never would've happened. Hyping up the US role in protecting French & British planes who were in charhe of establishing the no-fly zone as some kind of gung-ho leadership is complete garbage.

[Exilednight]

34. See post #32

[Codeine]

41. We're taking out the air defenses and presumeably

coordinating allied operations from our ships. We've got the absolute best equipment for that. The main thrust of air attacks and patrols will be French and UK air forces.

[Exilednight]

46. Which is led by US command. n/t

[Historic NY]

43. Their coastal defenses look like SAM City.....

and it makes sense to neuter them.