Pentagon may add air power in Libya conflict -AP

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

Escalation? When do we get to the part about "only advisers" followed by "a temporary strengthening of forces", etc, until it reaches "the new monument to the fallen opens"?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110325/ap_on_re_us/us_us_libya

WASHINGTON – Even as other nations begin taking a larger role in the international air assault mission in Libya, the Pentagon is considering adding Air Force gunships and other attack aircraft that are better suited for tangling with Libyan ground forces in contested urban areas like Misrata, a senior Pentagon official said Friday.

Navy Vice Adm. William Gortney told a Pentagon news conference that for the second consecutive day, all air missions to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya were flown by non-U.S. aircraft, and U.S. planes conducted about half the missions attacking Libyan air defenses, missile sites and ground forces. Qatar became the first Arab nation to join the effort, flying F-16s in support of the no-fly zone.

"The division of labor between the U.S. and our partners has largely evened out," Gortney said.

With the Obama administration eager to take a back seat, it remained unclear when NATO would assume command of the no-fly patrols. Also unclear was when — and even if — the U.S. military's African Command would hand off to NATO the lead role in attacking Libyan ground targets.

[zorahopkins]

1. Oh. My. God.

This cannot be happening!

The Pentagon is considering adding Air Force gunships and other attack aircraft that are better suited for tangling with Libyan ground forces????

OUT OF LIBYA! NOW!

[Tx4obama]

2. So, you want to pull out and let Gaddafi massacre tens of thousands of protesters/civilians?

Well bless your heart.

[David__77]

4. Tens of thousands? Don't you mean MILLIONS!

Surely, if the US does not intervene, the bloodbath will put all others in the shade!!!

[Bandit]

6. IMO the massacre will be coming from US Gunships and Fighter Jets.

We excel at killing..

[originalpckelly]

9. The gunships are far more precise.

The jets, no so much. They fly too fast, but the gunships can loiter over an area and use advanced sensors to watch the situation before firing. They can also do a shit load of good against a range of threats, from small arms to Gaddafi tanks.

[bluestate10]

14. Attack helicopters and slow flying tank killing planes are what should be sent it.

There is no justification for playing pitti-patti with a monster like Qaddafi.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Anyone surprised?? Anyone????

:grr:

[Catherina]

5. Without even so much as a by your leave. No. Rec'd n/t

[sad sally]

7. So our thin-stretched and worn military will now enter into

the next option in this latest war; ground troops will be next. Remember what Jay Carney said before the invasion:

“No option has been removed from the table, but ground troops are not top of the list at this point,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said when asked if an invasion was possible. “Arming providing weapons is one of the range of options that is being considered,” he added.

[FiveGoodMen]

8. We'll be out of there in days and never on the ground

Some guy in the White House said so...

He wasn't lying, was he?

[Rage for Order]

10. I believe the actual words were "Days, not weeks"

In fact, here's a link to it:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/libya-crisis-obama-moammar-gadhafi-ultimatum/story?id=13164938

President Obama told a bipartisan group of members of Congress today that he expects the U.S. would be actively involved in any military action against Libya for "days, not weeks," after which he said the U.S. would take more of a supporting role, sources tell ABC News.

[Baclava]

11. Not surprised at all. Close air support for the 'no-drive' zone coverage we ended up with

Flying around at 40,000 feet painting pretty grids in the sky is one thing.

Getting down close on the ground it's gonna get bloody and nobody else wants it on their hands.

That's my theory.

[quaker bill]

12. we fly a-10s

and they make very short work of armor, particularly the aging soviet era equipment operated in Libya. That's my theory. I think we had one or two shot down in Iraq, but they are very tough to shoot down because they fly low and fast. Soviet era tanks are no threat to them and most things that could be a threat have already been taken out.

If they have decided to make a hash of armored columns, the a-10 is the right tool,and we fly them.

I am a Quaker, but my ex-wife was part of the weapons industry. (part of why she is the ex)

[bluestate10]

15. A10s and attack helicopters will decimate Qaddafi forces. I want to

see them in asap. The only dying will be among Qaddafi troops.

[bluestate10]

13. I want the military to send in A10s and attack helicopters. Qaddafi ground forces

must be neutralized.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

16. Perhaps a surge ....

One big push of ground forces, then we get out.

It'll be over so fast, nobody will know we were ever there.

[Canuckistanian]

17. ENOUGH!

Let the rebel forces take a part now. This was supposed to be a humanitarian mission, not a mission of complete destruction.

These people have to LIVE in these bombed-out cities. Let's not create a "scorched earth" situation here.

[daleo]

18. Mission creep, phase 2

Phase 3 is special forces, phase 4 is regular troops. Phase 5 is a gigantic embassy building.

That's been the pattern.