NATO may order ground forces into Libya, U.S. admiral admits

[Playinghardball]

Source: Raw Story

Speaking to members of Congress today, Adm. James Stavridis admitted that, while allied forces were not yet considering the deployment of troops on the ground in Libya, it was a possibility.

This could run counter to President Barack Obama's pledge that no U.S. soldiers would set foot on the ground in the embattled country, where the decades-long leadership of Col. Muammar Gaddafi has come under an intense challenge from civilian protesters.

Last week the U.S., leading NATO forces, imposed a no-fly zone over Libya, hurling hundreds of missiles and bombs at Gaddafi's soldiers and armor, in an effort to prevent them from massacring a huge civilian population.

Read more at: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/03/29/nato-may-order-ground-forces-into-libya-u-s-admiral-admits/

[Kennah]

1. Not true. They are advisors.

[MadHound]

2. Ah, like those "advisers" in Vietnam?

Those kind of advisers?

[enlightenment]

7. I'd imagine that's exactly the sort of 'advisors' they would

order in.

It is estimated that 1 of every 5 of the upward of 20,000 'advisors' in Vietnam served in active combat positions - boots definitely on the ground, weapon in hand.
Over 400 US 'personnel' died in Vietnam between 1956 and 1964; since Johnson didn't commit 'combat troops' until March of 1965, I guess we have to assume that those who died before that were only 'advisors'.

I despise weasel words, don't you?

[Kennah]

10. Watch for MACL-SOG

[sad sally]

11. Ya' think the advisors will advise the need for some trainers?

And just think how long that could take. Haven't we been advisors and trainers in Iraq and Afghanistan for, oh let's see 8-10 years? also, if we put advisors and trainers in potentially hostile territory, we'll need some combat troops to protect them. Then, with all these military people, we'll need to build a couple dozen temporary bases, and maybe an airfield to bring in supplies. No, no, that'll never happen...never in a million years.

[xchrom]

3. So what's the price tag for that? Nt

[Starry Messenger]

4. No way!

:sarcasm:

[daleo]

5. They will be called something like "civilian protection forces"

Or some equivalent euphemism.

[The Magistrate]

8. There You Go, Sir

My advice: copyright it....

[FiveGoodMen]

6. God. I didn't see that coming.

[Catherina]

9. What a *shocking* development n/t

[Exilednight]

12. So much for "no boots on the ground". n/t

[Exilednight]

13. From another news report:

The unit is relieving the 26th MEU, which took part in some of the initial assaults. The 22nd is a Marine, air and ground task force. Some are trained for aviation combat, others for ground combat. They can handle evacuations and humanitarian missions too.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=8039326

Date of article: March 28 - Something tells me that Obama knew of this before his speech last night.