Libya Update Thread - 48 hours for Libyan Freedom ??

[jon93]

Is the no fly zone still going ahead now after the apparent ceasefire 'cough' lie 'cough'.

[ringo747]

Breaking News

The RAF Museum at Hendon has been closed until further notice, one Sopwith Camel and a Bristol Fighter have been requisitioned by the MoD to be sent to Marshalls Airport at Cambridge for updating in order that they can carry the latest Masai and Senussi Warrior missiles

The aircraft should arrive at Akrotiri sometime in the next 6 months but can arrive within 3 months if IFR probes are fitted as standard, those ex RAF erks over 75 are stood down and will not be called up

LOL

[jon93]

Turns out the word ceasefire has a different meaning in libya has the shelling is continuing is misratah, if true its just as I suspected lies.

[StuBie]

BBC News 24 all day for me.

The men in white coats will be around to visit you shortly

[thommg]

Canadians have just confirmed they're sending a squadron of Hornets....I wonder where they will be based? Presumably, they will likely transit through UK airspace?

[markmarples]

ive been out in Lincolnshire most of the afternoon, very little on the scanner from coningsby sqns, but another AWAC is up and about 'Nato 04'

[22A]

A few hours on and after a bit of thought and cynicism; are a/c being sent to the area simply so that assorted governments can show they did something for the Libyan people?
We know where the Libyan airfields are so a passing naval ship altready in the Med could launch a cruise missile onto each & every runway.
AWACS would detect helo movements and to avoid the expense of fighter sorties a SAM could well take them out.

Apologies if I sound like Solly Zuckerman & Duncan Sandys, I really am an aircraft enthusiast, but here is a chance of enforcing a No Fly Zone (if that's the only thing we're supposed to do) without endangering a/c and aircrew.

In time and using the examples of Ireland, Germany and the Indian sub continent as examples the UN could divide the country into East (free) & West (Gaddafi) Libya

[pikey01]

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=a ... _article=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri "

When did the RAF get u-2's?!

[StuBie]

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=a ... _article=1

"Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri "

When did the RAF get u-2's?!

Indeed, it has been funny seeing alot of these 'experts' on the 24H news stations giving opinions on the state the various nations forces and defence.

[MacksAviation]

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=a ... _article=1

"Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri "

When did the RAF get u-2's?!

That's a Mirage or that's what we were told it was when we first arrived in Cyprus

It went something like......" If you are sat on the Beach at Lady's Mile and see a strange Black Glider type aircraft trust me you haven't seen it "

and strangely enough in the 4 years I was there I never did see it although I did buy a mug with a Skunk on it from an American guy at an Akrotiri base open day

[pikey01]

Malta, which lies in the Mediterranean not far from Libya's coast, says it will not allow UN forces to use its bases to enforce a no-fly zone. The country is politically neutral by constitution, reports AFP.

Also being reported on Al Jazerra: "Lawrence Gonzi, the prime minister of Malta, says that his country will not allow its territory to be used to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, though it will allow military aircraft from other countries to use its airspace."

taken from their blog http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/ ... g-march-18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gonk]

http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=a ... _article=1

"Two British RAF AWAC planes wait on the ground as another RAF plane flies past at Akrotiri "

When did the RAF get u-2's?!

That's a Mirage or that's what we were told it was when we first arrived in Cyprus

It went something like......" If you are sat on the Beach at Lady's Mile and see a strange Black Glider type aircraft trust me you haven't seen it "

and strangely enough in the 4 years I was there I never did see it although I did buy a mug with a Skunk on it from an American guy at an Akrotiri base open day

I thought the yanks pulled the U2s out of akrotiri years ago, any way its probably just returning from turkey,one out in the morning and a different back mid afternoon, i remember the non existent flights, noisy sods, AAA club was a good night ,i used to know the cop that lost his sentry box, went for a pee and a U2 went threw it,do they still use the canopy over the cockpit during strap in. Were is the jets going for the no fly,Gibraltar,that was used during the 1986 raids,tooms from coningsby had a detachment there.


Bit much the Maltese not wanting the chaps there, must be scared of the lads drinking it dry,they will have to reopen the gut for a bit of entertainment

[Gary]

Sky are saying the mission will be called Operation Ellamy

[pikey01]

Sky are saying the mission will be called Operation Ellamy

Well bearing in mind the location, at least there wasnt a mention of goats

[MacksAviation]

From the BBC News Website Live Feed:

The BBC's Mike Cartwright, at RAF Marham in Norfolk, says he's getting unconfirmed reports that two Tornado squadrons will be heading out to enforce the no-fly zone. Squadron 9 specialises in taking out surface-to-air missiles, while Squadron 31 specialises in launching the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which is used to target artillery and tanks, he says

Ben

With XIII about to be stood down and I think one of the other Squadrons away already on Red Flag ? Marham will be very very quite.

I wonder if it's too late to stop the two squadron being stood down ?

[Gary]

From the BBC News Website Live Feed:

The BBC's Mike Cartwright, at RAF Marham in Norfolk, says he's getting unconfirmed reports that two Tornado squadrons will be heading out to enforce the no-fly zone. Squadron 9 specialises in taking out surface-to-air missiles, while Squadron 31 specialises in launching the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which is used to target artillery and tanks, he says

Ben

Better be getting No.31Sqn back from the states then...

[TankBuster]

Lets send XH558 . After all, they did say she was moving to a new base towards the end of March .

TankBuster

[MacksAviation]

From the BBC News Website Live Feed:

The BBC's Mike Cartwright, at RAF Marham in Norfolk, says he's getting unconfirmed reports that two Tornado squadrons will be heading out to enforce the no-fly zone. Squadron 9 specialises in taking out surface-to-air missiles, while Squadron 31 specialises in launching the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which is used to target artillery and tanks, he says

Ben

Better be getting No.31Sqn back from the states then...

I think it's 9sqn over there isn't it ? I know they have a real mixture of aircraft as "Shiny Two" is out there for sure.

Beaker1971 can you confirm deny who is over there ?

[gary1701]

BBC thinks that they'll use Storm Shadow against armour? That could prove a little difficult, not to mention rather expensive.

Gary

[Gary]

From the BBC News Website Live Feed:

The BBC's Mike Cartwright, at RAF Marham in Norfolk, says he's getting unconfirmed reports that two Tornado squadrons will be heading out to enforce the no-fly zone. Squadron 9 specialises in taking out surface-to-air missiles, while Squadron 31 specialises in launching the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which is used to target artillery and tanks, he says

Ben

Better be getting No.31Sqn back from the states then...

I think it's 9sqn over there isn't it ? I know they have a real mixture of aircraft as "Shiny Two" is out there for sure.

Beaker1971 can you confirm deny who is over there ?

From what i've been told

No.IX(B)Sqn finished their stint out in the US after Red flag and are now either home or coming home. No.31Sqn have replace them out for the US deployment