Cameron's Plan For No-Fly Zone Over Libya

goldie fish

Overheal wrote: »

You ever seen the cannon on those? ... well neither have I, but I saw it on TV. It was beautiful.

Heard it once. At anchor in the Humber estuary when they were still based in the UK. They had a firing range out to sea. It turned out we were a reference point for the aircraft as they made their run onto target. The sound can only be described as like a watery fart.
Quite appropriate really is that is the effect it would have on those in the kill zone also. An impressive aircraft, the Devils cross. I hope it never goes away. The F16 that replaced it in many units just don't do it!

BrianD

Utrinque Paratus wrote: »

350 UK Special Forces Soldiers in Libya

In total it is understood that just under 250 UK special forces soldiers and their support have been in Libya since before the launch of air strikes to enforce the no-fly zone against Gaddafi’s forces.

The troops in Libya were drawn from a squadron of SAS and SBS personnel, some who have been in the country for a month and are being re-supplied with water, food and ammunition via airdrops from Cyprus.

Those numbers were further boosted by nearly 100 this week when paratroopers from the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) were sent to Libya as coalition commanders prepare to increase the tempo of operations.

A further 800 Royal Marines are on five days’ notice to deploy to the Mediterranean to support humanitarian relief and aid operations.

The beefing up of the Special Forces contingent comes as commanders switch attacks against command and control centres to low-level attacks against Gaddafi’s tanks.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz1HfBZHNfv

Believe it, or not...

That's blatently illegal and Cameron needs to go public with this information and then remove them.

Alternatively, he should put his money where his mouth is and go to the UN for a new resolution seeking regime change and the deployment of a UN mission on the ground.

This sets an unwelcome and unacceptable precedent.

Utrinque Paratus

BrianD wrote: »

That's blatently illegal and Cameron needs to go public with this information and then remove them.

Alternatively, he should put his money where his mouth is and go to the UN for a new resolution seeking regime change and the deployment of a UN mission on the ground.

This sets an unwelcome and unacceptable precedent.

You dont seem to understand there has to be some peace first before UN peacekeepers can enforce it.

This has been in planning for months and expelling of SAS/M16 was then followed by reduction in support to rebels to show why they needed the special forces and military aid..........que Towns been retaken and rebels crying for support.

Overheal

BrianD wrote: »

That's blatently illegal and Cameron needs to go public with this information and then remove them.

Alternatively, he should put his money where his mouth is and go to the UN for a new resolution seeking regime change and the deployment of a UN mission on the ground.

This sets an unwelcome and unacceptable precedent.

what is their mission on the ground though? Does that make a difference?

punchdrunk

like most special forces 90% intel!

it's not all jumping out of planes with only a bayonet and a packet of walkers salt'n'vinegar to take on a tank division single handed

they'll have been identifying targets/supply routes/communications lines etc
they've probably been designating targets using hand-held lasers/GPS for the LGB's/JDAM's being dropped from the air


I really doubt there's 350 UKSF in Libya,considering they tend to work in 4-8 man units

Steyr

3 Hours Ago:French Air Force C-135FR flight FAF4034 and FAF4033 overhead Mediterranean

USAF Joint STARS Boeing E-8C is airborne as CYLON 37

USAF RC-135W Rivet Joint overhead Mediterranean Sea as KERMY 21 at FL270 for SIGINT

Steyr

Overheal wrote: »

You ever seen the cannon on those? ... well neither have I, but I saw it on TV. It was beautiful.

I have been to the cockpit and have a shell casing.

Steyr

Out of interest A-10's were recently noted using RAF Holbeach Callsigns were THUG01 and THUG02, afterwards they routed to RAF Lakenheath.

Steyr

12 Minutes ago: VIPER 17 formation of F-16's Spangdahlem AB, returning to TDY Aviano AB recovered from tactical descending FL250 sqw 4262


WEASEL 07 formation of F-16's Spangdahlem AB, returning to TDY Aviano AB recovered from tactical sqw 4207

VIPER 15 formation of F-16's Spangdahlem AB, returning to TDY Aviano AB recovered from tactical descending FL250 sqw 4260

Steyr

In "Theatre" already.


USAF Special Operations Group AC-130 and MC-130s left RAF Mildenhall. Have since deployed to Sigonella. CALLSIGNS:FUNNY 32 and possibly SOAP 41/VICE 31 from AFSOC 16SOW / 4SOS and AFSOC 1st SOW / 4SOS


6 A-10s landed today at Aviano.

Steyr

04196.0 kHz NATO control net, very active, currently D8N calling 4KJ, and Z5B for radiochecks.

Corsendonk

France 24 report on the rebels before the no fly zone came into play. It be funny if it wasn't really. Reporter said he seen a fair few rebels accidentally blow themselves up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4YlwXB6_X0

BrianD

Utrinque Paratus wrote: »

You dont seem to understand there has to be some peace first before UN peacekeepers can enforce it.

This has been in planning for months and expelling of SAS/M16 was then followed by reduction in support to rebels to show why they needed the special forces and military aid..........que Towns been retaken and rebels crying for support.

I don't think you understand the situation fully. The UN mandate is not to support the rebels - it is to prevent Gadaffy using force against the civilian population. However, I do understand and this situation is rapidly developing into a farce.

A. UN1973 has effectively been breached by those governments supplying the military assets. 1973 is a humanitarian one not a mandate for regime change.

B. The various "UN forces" are acting as a de-facto air force for the rebels. This is not what UN1973 was about. They are supporting one side in what is now a civil war.

C. Bizarrely the "UN Forces" seem to have difficulty agreeing amongst themselves who is running the show and how it will be run.

D. Perhaps Cameron, Sarkohzy and Obama know who the rebels are and what they want to achieve. I'm sure that there's more than one group amongst them. What do they intend to replace Gadaffy with?

E. There are civilians on both sides and there is an unknown percentage that support Gadaffy. What happens when the action moves to Tripoli when there will be very motivated people fighting for their survival. Plus the rebels seem to be using heavier military equipment which is invariable good to kill and injure civilians.

F. What happens if and when the rebels fragment. Who gets the UN air support then?

This is UN 1973 resolution is going end up in a bloody stalement unless those who supported start taking some political leadership.

Now is a a good time to pause. The falling of two towns to the rebels is a clear demonstration to the Gadaffy and his henchmen that this is how things may well continue. That now it's a good time for both sides to start talking and perhaps Gadaffy to negotiate his retirement (in whatever form that maytake). It's often the henchmen that see the light in these circumstances and start the political ball rolling.

Of course, the cynical plan might be we'll get you guys to Tripoli and you can pay us in discounted oil.

I'm no supporter of this despot Gadaffy and he should be gone. But we must have standards of law and order and this is not the way we should be doing things.

goldie fish

There is a danger, some experts suggest that If the rebels are successful in the current conflict, The Colonel will just move to Chad and continue his destabilisation from there.
The only real solution is to extinguish Gadaffi. While he exists the network of fear that keeps him in power, and his people in fear will remain.
Unfortunately nobody has the stomach for that decision, even though the Libyan people have been specifically asking for it.

Steyr

New Callsigns being heard:

POKER11/POKER13-EF-18M Ala 12-Spanish Air Force.

HAVOC73/HAVOC74-Typhoon FGR.4-RAF?

CYLON40/CYLON36-US Air Force Boeing E-8C J-Stars-116 ACW/GA ANG.

FANG65-617 Sqn RAF Tornado's from RAF Marham out of TDY Gioia del Colle.

"Boar" an 81FS A-10 callsign!

4 Hours Ago:DAMO 110 French Navy E-2C from CdG with VEILLEUR CCOA Taverny active on 14583.5 kHz.

maquiladora

B-1B bombers airborne BONE 34/35/37 Ellsworth AFB [KRCA] overhead Atlantic 45N 30W next contact Shanwick on 5598.0 or 8906.0 #OOD

Corsendonk

Corsendonk wrote: »

France 24 report on the rebels before the no fly zone came into play. It be funny if it wasn't really. Reporter said he seen a fair few rebels accidentally blow themselves up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4YlwXB6_X0

is this real or a Russian fake - yer man has a Russian accent and the English translations are kinda funny - purposely theatrical actually.

Why isnt there any French audio?

I think its Russian and the photoshop at the end is pathetic.

Steyr

5 Hours Ago:USAF RC-135W Rivet Joint airborne and overhead Mediterranean Sea as TUBBY22 at FL310 for SIGINT.

3 Hours Ago:B-1B bombers airborne BONE34/BONE35/BONE37 Ellsworth AFB [KRCA] overhead Atlantic 45N 30W next contact Shanwick on 5598.0 or 8906.0.


2 Hours Ago:6 UAE AF F-16F Block 60 and 6 UAE AF Mirage 2000-9 deployed today to Decimomannu airbase, Italy, to take part in Operation odysseydawn.

Canadian Armed Forces CC-150 tail nr 15005 as PETRO14 now FL310, track 150 direct LUMED and still visible on flightradar24.

Formation of USAF F-15E's as TITAN 41 RTB Aviano AB FL150.

1 Hour Ago:B-1B bombers BONE34/BONE35/BONE37 Ellsworth AFB heading waypoint KOMUT 38°0'0N 15°0'0W just switched LISBOA ACC 128.900 Mhz.

SOLEX61, RAF Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1, airborne SOUDA BAY, currently working Malta ACC just before switching tactical.

VICE 31, USAF Lockheed AC-130U gunship overhead Mediterranean.

PHANTOM11 formation of 4 Danish fighters F-16AM ESK726 from Aalborg went tactical.

Corsendonk

Deleted User wrote: »

is this real or a Russian fake - yer man has a Russian accent and the English translations are kinda funny - purposely theatrical actually.

Why isnt there any French audio?

I think its Russian and the photoshop at the end is pathetic.

Its real, unless French TV have been infiltrated by the Russians. Its France 24, the english speaking French news channel hence the reason you don't have audio in french. You do know such channels exist like Al Jalsera English, Russia Today etc So you think a real film is photoshop? lol

Steyr

Some More Callsigns from earlier today:

Sarab61 4x M2000 Dct Arlos Fl230, PLH Rtb Souda
Ogre02 2 x CH53 USN/USMC 2000Ft to Sigonella
FAF4032 C135FR Checking in Fl220 15 mi from Sudik
Legacy40 2x MV22 Sq 5540/5541 Rtb Sigonella
Ogre02 2 x CH53 ctc Brindisi or Sigonella tower
FAF4033 C135Fr + 4 fighters Rtb clmb Fl260
Tartan50 VC10 Going Tactical
Exxon01 KC135 req dct PNZ
Poker12 EF18A 1x fl290 sq 5412
RCH864 KC135 FL310
Weasel01 Req WX Aviano

Flight of 2 A-10's heard too callsigns BOAR01/BOAR02.

Afternoon Traffic:

Zeus42 (E-3C), 15.44 switching tactical.
Steel74 (EC-130), IFR clearance back to Sigonella.
Tartan50 (VC-10).
Forte10 (RQ-4B).
Havoc71 (Typhoon), flight of 2.
FNY5060 UNKNOWN inbound Malta.
Phantom11 (F-16 RDAF) squawk 1472, going tactical.
RCH699 (C-17), to Brindisi 134.425.

hmmm

There were some amazing photos on this thread
http://forums.radioreference.com/atlantic-maritime/180201-mid-air-refueling-over-nova-scotia-17.html
taken from a parking lot!

Yesterday's B1Bs refueling


and a bit OT, but showing the size of the C5

hmmm

This from one of the reporters who got stuck in Sirte overnight
"#Sirte in the evening was much more tense than 3poli.Countless explosions&aircraft circling around the city.Locals were shouting 'Sarkozy!""

If people are shouting this openly, it sounds like the city is ripe to fall if the rebels can get through the outer defences.

Corsendonk

Corsendonk wrote: »

Its real, unless French TV have been infiltrated by the Russians. Its France 24, the english speaking French news channel hence the reason you don't have audio in french. You do know such channels exist like Al Jalsera English, Russia Today etc So you think a real film is photoshop? lol

did you see it on France24 ? or just online it looks like they just added the logo on a movie editor
have a look at the "burning camera" at the end its terrible!

Why does the reporter have a Russian accent?

Why is the video spliced with this report with a different voiceover
http://www.france24.com/en/20110303-libyan-rebel-militia-brega-battle-oil-port-gaddafi-counter-attack-exclusive

because its a fake/edited to misrepresent

hmmm

Gripens will probably be on their way, first deployment of Swedish planes outside Sweden for 50 years.
http://svt.se/2.22584/1.2374883/nato_har_fragat_sverige_om_jas-plan_till_libyen

"Sex piloter från Ronneby"
Indeed.

Donny5

Deleted User wrote: »

because its a fake/edited to misrepresent

If it's a fake, then it's a France24 fake, as it's posted to their Youtube channel, and here it is on their website.

Donny5

Donny5 wrote: »

If it's a fake, then it's a France24 fake, as it's posted to their Youtube channel, and here it is on their website.

:eek:

ah yeah its still a fake cough cough blah blah

goldie fish

Donny5 wrote: »

If it's a fake, then it's a France24 fake, as it's posted to their Youtube channel, and here it is on their website.

It was a fake wen I watched it on their TV channel on saturday too so...

Steyr

2 Hours Ago:USAF AC-130U gunship airborne and overhead Mediterranean as SOAP 31.

1 Hour Ago:USAF RC-135V Rivet Joint mode-S identifying today as FNKDY23 SIGINT.

CHAOS 63 formation Boeing EA-18G Growler VAQ-132 overhead Mediterranean working Malta ACC.

Formation of 2 USAF F-15E from RAF Lakenheath operating from Aviano AB as STRIKE 27 are no enroute back to Aviano AB.

Steyr

And Earlier CET:

21.03 Norseman57 (2 x F-16 RNoAF).

21.04 Exxon04 (KC-135), tactical.

21.04 Strike23 (F-15 USAF), direct to Aviano.

21.05 Weasel05 (F-16 USAF), direct to Aviano, squawk 3434.

21.09 Weasel07 (F-16 USAF), squawk 4207, proceed IFR, report ready for tactical. 21.15 -> tactical.

21.09 Exxon03 (KC-135), dir. ASKOT.

21.11 RCH575, KC10, squawk 6543, direct DIGOS, destination LEMO (Moron).

21.24 Barbo01 (CN295 EdA), destination LIED (Decimomannu).

21.26 RCH553 (KC-135), squawk4014, overhead LORED.

21.28 Strike25 (F-15 USAF) 4-ship, squawk 4273, switching tactical.

hmmm

"USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft and guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52), engaged Libyan Coast Guard vessel Vittoria and two smaller craft March 28.

The vessels were engaged after confirmed reports that Vittoria and accompanying crafts were firing indiscriminately at merchant vessels in the port of Misrata, Libya.

The P-3C fired at Vittoria with AGM-65F Maverick missiles, rendering the 12-meter patrol vessel ineffective and forcing it to be beached after multiple explosions were observed in the vicinity of the port.

Two smaller Libyan craft were fired upon by the A-10 using its 30mm GAU-8/ Avenger cannon, destroying one and forcing the other to be abandoned.
"

goldie fish

hmmm wrote: »

.... destroying one and forcing the other to be abandoned.
"

An A10 will have that effect on you...

Steyr

Earlier This Morning:

CET

07.15 STRIKE23 F-15E airborne Aviano.
07.35 CHAOS65 EF-18G rtb Aviano.
07.35 WEASEL01 F-16 SP airborne Aviano.
07.40 VIPER01 F-16 AV airborne Aviano.
08.45 CHAOS61 EF-18G airborne Aviano-will refuel in Echo5 with MOBILE05 tanker.
09.50 VIPER03 F-16 AV airborne Aviano-inbound Echo5 for MOBILE 05 tanker.
10.10 BOLAR01 F-15E airborne Aviano-inbound Echo5.
10.20 CHAOS61 unable to refuel, rtb Aviano.
11.00 BOLAR03 F-15E airborne Aviano-inbound Echo5.


10.02 Tartan47 RAF VC-10, squawk 5647 IFR to RAF Akrotiri.
10.06 Wizard31 RAF NimrodR1 "XV249" IFR to RAF Akrotiri.



More:

10.37 Monster66,RAF Tornado inbound Gioa, squawk 5266 --> NEW CallSign.
10.39 Mammut60 B707 Spanish Air Force.
10.39 Poker45 EF-18 Spanish Air Force.
10.40 Lince01 Italian Air Force Tornado.
10.59 Viper03 F-16 Aviano Air Base-squawk 3402 going tactical.
11.12 Titan25 EF2000 Italian Air Force going tactical.
11.13 Aurora1 CP140 AURORA Canadian Air Force.

At 15:51:
Havoc73 RAF Typhoon requested directly to Sigonella because inflight emergency (oxygen emergency) rest of Typhoons going to Gioa del Colle, after emergency was declared Havoc73 then re-routed to Trapani AB as he was uncertain he could successfully get to Sigonella with current fuel state.


19.24 Boar01 A-10 Spangdahlem AB direct to Aviano.
20.22 Aurora01 CP-140 AURORA CAF to Brindisi freq.
20.23 Texaco01 KC-135, to Athens 124.625.
20.32 Phantom13 F-16 RDAF squawk 5252, direct to Sigonella.
20.33 Phantom11 F-16 RDAF squawk 5311, direct to Sigonella.
20.37 Forte10 RQ-4B, first checked in as Condor10, squawk 5253.
20.43 FAF4031 C-135FR, going tactical.
20.43 RCH258 KC-135R, blocking frequency with open mic.

Steyr

**NEW IN THEATRE**
USAF HC-130P Hercules as KING85, 79th Rescue Squadron (CSAR 79 RQS) based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base part of Air Combat Command,
23d Wing,563d Rescue Group.

hmmm

It's interesting that following Mussa Kussa's defection (confirmed today but rumoured yesterday) that there are other unconfirmed reports of defections e.g.

"Reports: #Libya officials Bouzaid Dorda (Chief of intel.) Shukri Ghanem (oil minister) Belgasem Zwai and AbdelAati Obaidi in #Djerba airport"

BrianD

Will be interesting to see what happens next. This guy could make the political breakthrough required or could be the Rudolph Hess of Libya.

Bad day for the rebels as well it would seem.

Interesting to see that the Americans will break the resolution and may arm the rebels and despite saying thar there would be no boots on the ground, the CIA maybe deploying agents there.

hmmm

This is an interesting piece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/31/gaddafi-envoy-mohammed-ismail-britain

I'm sure Gadaffi's sons would prefer to be quaffing champagne with supermodels at the Monaco GP than spending the rest of their life attending the annual Benghazi camel races.

hmmm

Imagine giving this crowd Javelins

Steyr

**NEW IN THEATRE**

Royal Jordanian Air Force have deployed F-16's to USAFE Aviano AB, The Swedish Component will be stationed at Decimomannu.

Steyr

Some of today's movements

07.20 Strike51 F-15E airborne AvianoAB southbound.

07.50 Chaos2 EF-18G airborne AvianoAB southbound.

08.00 Boar05 A-10 rtb AvianoAB.

08.05 Boar07 A-10 rtb AvianoAB.

08.10 Weasel07 F-16 rtb AvianoAB.

08.35 Viper41 F-16 airborne AvianoAB southbound.

08.43 Viper13 F-16 rtb AvianoAB.

09.28 Hog01 A-10A rtb AvianoAB.

09.50 Weasel21 F-16 airborne AvianoAB southbound.

RA325 is EP-3 USN.
Titan63 is EF2000 Italian Air Force.
Cycle61 is E-8C USAF (95-0121).



Fang67 RAF Tornado.
Fang71FLT RAF Tornado 2ship formation.

UN228 Learjet 35A-N405PC C/N35-651.


Titan63 EF2000 Italian Air Force.
Titan65 EF2000 Italian Air Force.

BrianD

Wonder does the arrival of UN marked learjet suggest there might be some talks in Libya about to start?

The whole rebel activity is baffling. They just seem to drive up and down the road. I wonder what level of actual engagement between rebel and Gadaffy forces is actually taking place?

BostonB

I can't help but think the rebels strength is being over stated. No flyzone ok. But I think they are fighting the rebels ground battles for them, be destroying armour etc.

johngalway

hmmm wrote: »

Imagine giving this crowd Javelins[/img]

They put TopGear to shame.

Manic Moran

johngalway wrote: »

They put TopGear to shame.

Indeed. My first thought was to look at the grille/hood for the a Toyota badge.

NTM

hmmm

BostonB wrote: »

I can't help but think the rebels strength is being over stated. No flyzone ok. But I think they are fighting the rebels ground battles for them, be destroying armour etc.

The rebels strength is almost non existent. These are largely an army of citizens who have looted army stores. This is a good overview of where their "army" hopes lie
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,754035,00.html

I've seen them capture a few T-55s and T-72s and they seem to have recovered at least one of those Italian artillery SPGs. I also saw a hanger full of untouched BMPs in an early pic of the aftermath of seizing the base in Benghazi. Where are all they at the moment?

"18:20 Al Jazeera English It appears that the opposition’s commanders are taking firmer control at the front lines, screening fighters who are trying to join up with their forces based on their experience, and barring journalists from entering zones where they are concerned about giving away their positions."

hmmm

"Brussels, 01 April2011
HunPR/25/2011

EUFOR Libya decision adopted

The Council has adopted today the decision, underpinning the mandates of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973, establishing an operation, called ’EUFOR Libya’ in order to stand ready to support humanitarian assistance in the region, if requested by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The aim of the operation would be to contribute to the safe movement and evacuation of displaced persons and to support the humanitarian agencies in their activities with specific capabilities. The headquarters of the operation shall be located in Rome, Rear Admiral Claudio Gaudiosi has been appointed as Operation Commander.


For further information, please contact Gergely POLNER (+32 491 355 460) Presidency spokesperson at
press.beu@kum.hu

Steyr

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RafIstarSquadronsKeepWatchOverLibya.htm

**ARTICLE**

RAF ISTAR squadrons keep watch over Libya
A Military Operations news article
1 Apr 11



A Sentinel Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) aircraft from No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron
[Picture: Senior Aircraftman Andy Holmes, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

When UN Security Council Resolution 1973 was declared to establish a no-fly zone over Libya, the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft moved quickly into action in the region.

The ISTAR squadrons, which are normally based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, adroitly changed tack from Operation DEFERENCE, supporting the evacuation of foreign and UK nationals, to Operation ELLAMY, supporting the enforcement of a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace.

The ISTAR 'eyes' initially comprised of No 8 Squadron's Sentry E-3D AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and the 'ears' were provided by No 51 Squadron's Nimrod R1 aircraft. The Sentries had earlier played a crucial role on Op DEFERENCE as command and control platforms for the Hercules aircraft which landed on Libyan desert airstrips to rescue stranded oil workers, and so were already best placed to support Op ELLAMY.

Just before ELLAMY started, Sentry aircraft had begun an 'understanding phase' of operations in the area. Group Captain Chris Jones, Waddington's Station Commander and Commander of 907 Expeditionary Air Wing now established at RAF Akrotiri, explained:

"The understanding phase is a defined mission where you have airborne capabilities maintaining position in an area and they are able to see and hear what's going on. By providing indications of activity you develop an understanding of the way a piece of airspace is being used or of the way ground forces might be employed."

Later, the Nimrod R1s, with their ability to monitor communications, were also deployed in support of the RAF's burgeoning ISTAR activity.

The Sentry's capabilities and vital utility to an air-centric operation like ELLAMY are clear; at its heart is the massive rotating Northrop Grumman radar dome that sits atop the fuselage.

This and other sensors allow the crew of eighteen to provide military commanders with real-time surveillance of Libyan airspace and of the Mediterranean Sea. And with its ability to link into a multitude of networks as a communications hub its capabilities are pivotal to the command and control of RAF and coalition combat aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone.

Within 24 hours of combat operations commencing within the no-fly zone, Waddington's latest ISTAR aircraft, the Sentinel, began to play its part. The aircraft, from No 5 (Army Cooperation) Squadron, added its sophisticated array of sensors to the ISTAR mix by surveilling ground activity in Libya.

More subtly perhaps, the Sentinel can also detect changes or differences in 'patterns of life', with the aircraft's skilled sensor operators on board the aircraft able to analyse the data and imagery to find that 'needle in a haystack'.

A Sentinel image analyst recalled one mission from last week when she was tasked to watch ground activity in a region of Libya:

"You learn to discount what is normal. I knew what our target was when we started looking through that area. It just looked out of place; it shouldn't have been there. And when I looked in I was sure of what it was."

The information was passed to a Sentry aircraft where fighter-controllers on board gave the job of investigating 'what it was' to one of the fast jets policing the skies. It turned out to be a missile system, which was promptly destroyed.

Unlike the Op HERRICK counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan, the situation in Libya is much more of an air-centric operation. For the Commanding Officer of No 5 (Air Cooperation) Squadron, Wing Commander Rich Barrow, the Sentinel's work in Libya is proving every bit as valuable as its continuing commitment to Op HERRICK. He said:

"The use of ISTAR and intelligence in particular to try and understand those situations, to gain insights into what's going on on the ground is absolutely essential.

"Only with that can we go in with the confidence that we are doing the right thing and ensuring the right outcomes."

Commenting on the nature of the air missions and the personnel under his command Group Captain Jones said:

"It's been change upon change, reacting to a very dynamic situation on the ground, reacting as well to international scrutiny and making sure that you get it right; allowing us to adapt and learn very quickly.

"I think it is a testimony to the professionalism of all those involved in the air and on the ground in support roles that they have shown that they can do that. On every task we've produced the results, on every sortie."

Steyr

6 Hours Ago:

Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10 airborne as NAF06 climbing to FL320 inbound to the formation F-16's calling as flight BLAST31

hmmm

Interesting, lots of reports of shooting in Tripoli tonight. Are any news channels confirming?

Steyr

20 Hours Ago: A very "secret" Aircraft landed at Malta,


That is her arriving at Malta..

Operator: Tepper Aviation - N3796B.
Aircraft: Lockheed - L-100 Hercules 382G.
C/N5027.

Tepper Aviation has a long association with the CIA.

She overnighted then bugged out. She can in certain times be viewed on Flightaware but 99% of the time tracking is denied per request from the owner/operator.

11 Hours Ago: Algerian Air Force Il-76MD tail:7T-WIA C/N 0083489674 was mentioned on a weapons delivery. She was noted apparently heading Alma Ata Airport, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

BrianD

Manic Moran wrote: »

Indeed. My first thought was to look at the grille/hood for the a Toyota badge.

NTM

A testament to the Toyota 4x4

Seriously though, what happened to the no-fly zone? According to reports, the rebels are being allowed to fly the aircraft that they possess. There is no guarantee that their activities will not kill or injure civilians - especially given the age and technology of the Libyan air force assets.

Yes the political leaders introduced UN1973 which was humanitarian in nature*, allows a no fly zone ** and definitely no boots on the ground***

* may actually include regime change
** 100% coverage not guaranteed, may contain aircraft belonging to rebels
*** Special forces, CIA and related mercenaries, I mean "security contractors", wear different footware and not included in offer

Gadaffy is a brutal dictator and needs to go. Can we not declare it internationally and do the job legally?