British combat helicopters carry out their first strikes over Libya
Comments
I can't say I am in any way proud about this. Much as I hope our servicemen are not injured doing the job they are ordered to do I cannot support this military adventurism by Cameron and Hague.
I understand these helicopters are operating from the carrier HMS Ocean, which will perhaps reassure those who were convinced they would be based ashore in Libya, provoking dark mutterings about "boots on the ground".
This complementary capability, together with a similar one provided by the French, enables NATO to refine its targetting; while accepting the added risk of the inherent vulnerability these aircraft have to enemy ground fire. However there will doubtless be counter-measures that will reduce such attacks. Whatever, it is hardly an escalation, which should ease further the minds of the doubters.
Continued effective operations to degrade Libyan ground force capability will continue to bring pressure to bear on those members of Gaddafi`s own supporters as they consider their own bleak future. The International Court trying human rights cases at The Hague cannot be an attractive prospect. Time to bail out?
@ John Parkes "Time to bail out?" YES for NATO! I bet that far more Libyans on both sides have died or been badly injurded and more infrastructure has been destroyed than if he had kept our big noses out and let Gadaffi and the rebels sort this internal matter out for themselves.
"4 Apache helicopters would be better used at Dover keeping out asylum seekers."
A very extreme solution indeed but at least our Armed Forces would be practicing our shores and our interets not wasted on some foreign adventure which is none of our business and no benefit to us.
I can't say I am in any way proud about this. Much as I hope our servicemen are not injured doing the job they are ordered to do I cannot support this military adventurism by Cameron and Hague.
Posted by: Martin Marprelate- A Man in the Street! | June 04, 2011 at 12:49 PM
I understand these helicopters are operating from the carrier HMS Ocean, which will perhaps reassure those who were convinced they would be based ashore in Libya, provoking dark mutterings about "boots on the ground".
This complementary capability, together with a similar one provided by the French, enables NATO to refine its targetting; while accepting the added risk of the inherent vulnerability these aircraft have to enemy ground fire. However there will doubtless be counter-measures that will reduce such attacks. Whatever, it is hardly an escalation, which should ease further the minds of the doubters.
Continued effective operations to degrade Libyan ground force capability will continue to bring pressure to bear on those members of Gaddafi`s own supporters as they consider their own bleak future. The International Court trying human rights cases at The Hague cannot be an attractive prospect. Time to bail out?
Posted by: john parkes | June 04, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I'd still rather we had Ark Royal and the Harriers. Much less vulnerable than a chopper.
Posted by: Ultimo Tiger | June 04, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Well done to our troops. Best in world. Stay safe heroes
Posted by: alison | June 04, 2011 at 01:59 PM
@ John Parkes "Time to bail out?" YES for NATO! I bet that far more Libyans on both sides have died or been badly injurded and more infrastructure has been destroyed than if he had kept our big noses out and let Gadaffi and the rebels sort this internal matter out for themselves.
Posted by: Martin Marprelate- A Man in the Street! | June 04, 2011 at 02:18 PM
4 Apache helicopters would be better used at Dover keeping out asylum seekers. Anything better than the Tories can do.
Failed party not sure why i voted for them for 28 years. Never again.
Posted by: JR | June 04, 2011 at 08:07 PM
How on earth would an attack helicopter keep asylum seekers out?
Hellfire missile at the Eurostars?
F****** hell I read some stupidity on the internet but that takes the bait.
Posted by: Ultimo Tiger | June 04, 2011 at 08:29 PM
"4 Apache helicopters would be better used at Dover keeping out asylum seekers."
A very extreme solution indeed but at least our Armed Forces would be practicing our shores and our interets not wasted on some foreign adventure which is none of our business and no benefit to us.
Posted by: Martin Marprelate- A Man in the Street! | June 04, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Or even protecting our shores.
Posted by: Martin Marprelate- A Man in the Street! | June 05, 2011 at 10:26 AM