Libyan Conflict (images/videos)

[topol-m]

Post photos, footage, reports, news, etc. in this thread. Its purpose is to collect in one place info of military operations that are/will be conducted in Libya. As you may already know the United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday Mar 17, 2011 to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

This is the Military and Aviation section of the forums and this thread is about the military and aviation aspects of the conflict, so refrain from flaming and posting political comments!

 

The following photos show USS Enterprise and ships from its escort. Currently they are located off the libyan coast:

RED SEA (Feb. 16, 2011) The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), right, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) move in close formation. Kearsarge is the command ship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)

 

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 17, 2011) Ships from the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group are underway with the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jared M. King/Released)

 

RED SEA (March 7, 2011) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Checkmates of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 prepares to launch from catapult three during cyclic flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are on a routine deployment conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jared M. King/Released)

Edited March 18, 2011 by topol-m

[VTJS17_Fire]

I've found some information about Libya's armed forces on the German wiki (I know ...) - can anybody confirm that?

 

tanks - 2025 piece:

200 T-72; (115 stored); 100 T-62 (70 stored); 500 T-55; (1.040 T-54/T-55 stored).

 

SAM types:

SA-5 Gammon (8 battalions)

SA-7 Grail

SA-8 Gecko (20)

SA-9 Gaskin/ SA-13 Gopher (60)

 

aircrafts:

Su-35 (12x, ordered in 2010)

Su-30 (4x, ordered in 2010)

Do the Libyans have these modern fighters in operational service, yet? :huh:

 

 

Are the Libyan armed forces a high threat for the coalition forces?

How are the Libyan pilots and SAM operators trained?

And what's with the Libyans navy - maybe the first targets to reach the Libyan airspace?

 

 

kind regards,

Fire

[Sticky]

British Prime Minister has just said a couple of minutes ago that Tornados and Typhoons will be deployed.

[swift]

Libyan SAM network

[VTJS17_Fire]

British Prime Minister has just said a couple of minutes ago that Tornados and Typhoons will be deployed.

 

Is that the first operational employment for British Typhoons and are they full combat ready (A/A and A/G capability)?

 

 

kind regards,

Fire

[topol-m]

aircrafts:

Su-35 (12x, ordered in 2010)

Su-30 (4x, ordered in 2010)

Do the Libyans have these modern fighters in operational service, yet? :huh:

 

 

Are the Libyan armed forces a high threat for the coalition forces?

How are the Libyan pilots and SAM operators trained?

And what's with the Libyans navy - maybe the first targets to reach the Libyan airspace?

 

 

AFAIK they don`t have modern fighters in service. I don`t think they pose a serious threat to coalition forces, mind also that we are talking about precision air strikes on key targets of Libyan defense, not about land operations. I`m not capable of assessing correctly and thoroughly the threat they pose to the coalition air forces but expect the main danger to come from manpads as most of the libyan air defense inventory seems obsolete. Also the possible extensive use of cruise missiles would mean low risk for coalition air forces in the first days of the operations.

[zakobi]

Iirc danes are sending a four-ship of F-16's.

[Sticky]

Gadaffis foreign minister declares immediate cease fire and end to all military operations, but criticises UN resolution.

 

Yesterday Gadaffi said his forces would attack Benghazi by night, go street by street and show no mercy.

[vtsgoose1606687932]

Glad they made this choice, enough blood has been spilled already.

[159th_Viper]

Is that the first operational employment for British Typhoons and are they full combat ready (A/A and A/G capability)?

 

Negative - September 2009 operationally deployed to RAF Mount Pleasant to begin defence of the Falkland Islands. Also regular Bear intercepts off our coast.

 

RAF Typhoons declared combat-ready in A/G role as far back as 2008.

[topol-m]

a short explanation of the "no-fly-zone":

 

[jpm1]

Glad they made this choice, enough blood has been spilled already.

 

are you sure that stopping now everything is the best solution to stop bloodshed (you should reread Sticky's post)

Edited March 18, 2011 by jpm1
Sticky's not sticky not quite the same

[LordWolf]

Wow, they always attack third world nations or nations with outdated military hardware. It doesn't matter what toys USA has, it's always gona beat 30 years old crap :p

[vtsgoose1606687932]

are you sure that stopping now everything is the best solution to stop bloodshed (you should reread sticky post)

 

Talking about the libyan army,

[Sticky]

Tanks and artillery are shelling the city of Misurata despite cease fire. Fierce battles also in Ajdabiya and Azawiya.

 

Very large explosions heard in and around Tripoli.

 

The reactions sofar on the cease fire is that an immediate cease fire doesnt change the threat against civilians, reasoning that surrounding Benghazi and other cities is a threat against the cities civilians. The UN resolution from last night allows attacks on Gadaffis forces even if the are not firing on civilians, the civilian population being "threatened" is enough.

 

@Topol-m: is this the kind of news you had in mind, or only pure aviation?

Edited March 18, 2011 by Sticky

[topol-m]

 

@Topol-m: is this the kind of news you had in mind, or only pure aviation?

 

Any kind of military related info is welcome. Thanks for the update. Those explosions heard in Tripoli, any info what might be their source? Coalition bombing?

[Sticky]

The reporter didnt know, but made a point that it was very much louder than what they are used to hearing daily.

[BTTW-DratsaB]

Good thread, thanks. Lots of the questions that where buzzing around my head while reading the news articles are in here.

[Alfa]

I've found some information about Libya's armed forces on the German wiki (I know ...) - can anybody confirm that?

 

tanks - 2025 piece:

200 T-72; (115 stored); 100 T-62 (70 stored); 500 T-55; (1.040 T-54/T-55 stored).

 

SAM types:

SA-5 Gammon (8 battalions)

SA-7 Grail

SA-8 Gecko (20)

SA-9 Gaskin/ SA-13 Gopher (60)

 

That sounds plausible - as far as I can gather they also have some "Western" vehicles and SAM systems in their inventory.

 

Anyway, just from watching TV you occassionally see some of the equipment the government forces employ - most of which is outdated Russian stuff such as T-72 and T-55 MTBs's, BMP-1 IFV's, 2S3 SPH's, BM-21 Grad MRLS(those appear to be more recent versions though), ZSU-4-23 and truch mounted ZU-2 AAA's.

 

I haven't seen any SAM systems, but according to varies sources their inventory is quite extensive and, in the region, second only to that of Eqypt.

 

aircrafts:

Su-35 (12x, ordered in 2010)

Su-30 (4x, ordered in 2010)

Do the Libyans have these modern fighters in operational service, yet? :huh:

 

No it appears that the most capable fighter aircraft they have are a few Mirage F1's(two of which defected to Malta a couple of weeks ago) and MiG-23s.

 

Are the Libyan armed forces a high threat for the coalition forces?

 

Well certainly not their airforce, but the apparent high density of SAMs(even if mostly outdated) could of course pose a real threat to coalition jets.

 

How are the Libyan pilots and SAM operators trained?

 

Good question :)

 

And what's with the Libyans navy - maybe the first targets to reach the Libyan airspace?

 

The Libyan navy is about as "fearsome" as the airforce - main assets are a couple of old Koni-class frigates and Nanuchka-class corvettes(probably the best assets), some Combattante(Italian)and Osa class missile boats.

 

Furthermore, as with the airforce, it is a question how much of the inventory is actually operational.

[jpm1]

Khadafi forces (from Global Sec.) :

 

navy : insignifiant , only possible threats would have been the 2 subs , and seems their base is Benghazi

 

airforce : whatever the force is , it needs airfields and Khadafi options seems very limited

 

Khadafi's Lybia has around 200 SA-6,SA-5,SA-3 and (very?) few SA-2 . all these systems are less or more efficient but all are vulnerable against western anti-radar weapons as to hunt they have to "show the ears"

 

army : talking only regarding the establishment of an exclusion force :

SA -7/9/13 : around 400 but not a major threat

heavy tanks : around 1000 but i highly doubt that without any air covering any tank launch any assault , same for the short range SAM ..?

 

 

so finally only real threat are airforce medium range SAM but once Khadafi airfields will be out of service , these SAM will remain very vulnerable to a rebel or an arab coalition ground attack and can be neutralized by a good radar coverage

[goldfinger35]

Are French deploying Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and are British using HMS Illustrious?

 

I saw an interview with military expert and he said that UK and France will spearhead the attack (not the US) and they will test their new Eurofighters and Rafales.

[eurofor]

Despite the claims of a ceasefire, the news this morning says a Gaddafi side aircraft has been shot down over Benghazi.

 

MiG-23BN?

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12793919

[RvETito]

BN or ex-siriyan MLD. Higher resolution:

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2011 by =RvE=Tito

[MoGas]

It seems the pilot is gona make it at least. Until rebels may get him..

[Ragtag]

Here's a video of the plane being shot down from a Norwegian newspaper.

 

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10083241