Libya Update Thread - 48 hours for Libyan Freedom ??

[alchemist2001]

Is this the first operational use of Stormshadow or did it get an outing in the Iraq War?

[HunterF6]

617sqn (from memory) were first to use it in Iraq i think, had only just been cleared for use back then

[robdigphot]

RAF Tornado's launch their attack on Libya last night Tornado GR4's take off armed with stormshadow missiles from RAF Marham. I apologise for the poor quality of the pictures by it was pitch black!. Please note that all D Notice restrictions have been observed before posting these pictures









Cheers Rob

[TankBuster]

Nice to see that II(AC) squadron got in on the action with their Tonka's. I hope they all returned home safely from their missions to a well deserved rest.

TankBuster

[rmt_1982]

Marham and back! And there was me for the past few weeks reading about how our emasculated Air Force was not capable of mounting any sort of operations overseas because of our reduced capability!!. Well, we obviously can. That should quieten a few critics!!.

Just another nights bimble for 2 Sqn really. Must say that when I got the e-mail at work last night saying that Tonkas had gone from Marham, I thought that it was for them to go out to Akrotiri or Sicily and base. I'm slightly awestruck by the efforts put in by all involved, as I'm sure that noone was expecting that sort of mission.

Lets hope that all those involved in the operations end up safe and sound.

[vinnyboy]

I remember this happening before when the F-111s took off from the heath loaded and we had planes flying over our house every day defending the UK as Gadaffi and co were threating the UK with long range missiles.As for the raf side of things good job by all but our raf is still not what it was and its a good job they kept the tornado for now anyway.

[Thunder]

Having read through the posts on here some people need to get a grip on what info they are providing or indeed asking for. Yes we all would love to know just what exactly is going on, how many of this and what type of that has been deployed if any, but this is SENSITIVE information and some of you are ex service personnel that should know better.

Think before you post

thunder the bases are being watched and any news reported back before they have left uk air space how do the libyans know what bomb or missile is going where simon

You're quite correct Simon the Libyians don't know for sure but they can be ready for any such attack at possible targets throughout Libya but that wasn't the point I was getting at. Some people were mentioning actual Squadrons that were taking part, how many a/c were taking part, what weapons were loaded up etc etc..... what next the names and addresses of the crews?? Now unless things regarding the release of such information have dramaticlly changed in the last few days that kind of information is SENSITIVE and until the MoD make a formal statement that info should stay just that. As "robdigphot" said the MoD had a restriction on this info until midnight. Without scrolling through numerous websites have the MoD mentioned what Squadrons took part, as from the offical statemnet I read earlier they haven't.

[pikey01]

MOD have released new pictures shot on base last night of the Tonka crews climbing in and Taxiing out, currently showing on Sky News.

[22A]

what are the raf using for bombings? tiffs or tonkas?

tonkas. flying from Marham and back.. interestingly the longest mission since the Falklands

Cunning plan by OC Ops to help keep Marham open!
Harking back to the Falklands, one reporter outside Marham stated "I'm not allowed to say how many jets took partin the raid" but he didn't count them back in.

[DarkSky]

the MOD know of such sites like ours, if they had a problem and felt
it was a threat, it would be shutdown.

[Snoop 95]

Saw the GR4's go over in formation last night heading south. Presumably in the light of the political build-up recently they were not prevented from flying over France, unlike the Op Eldorado Canyon F111's were in 1986.

[Craig]

We all know what is happening in Bahrain and there will be countries that will be demanding the same action be taken to help the civilian people from these countries as they are doing with Libya.

It was reported that Saudi Arabia sent armed forces into Bahrain to help the King fight back the rebels and there was other countries involved also and reports of military using force on civilians.

This is no different to what is happening in Libya but do you really think the west is going to get involved with Saudi Arabia....No chance but it is what the other middle eastern countries make of it.

Correct.

What would be a real issue if is the situation in Bahrain/Yemen or even extended to Saudi Arabia deteriorated to the point that the minority goverments there were committing Gaddaffi style 'humanitarian atrocities' against their majority uprising populations. If a UN resolution was tabled to suggest a no fly zone/bombing campaign there by one of the abstainees from the 1973 vote just gone happens and Russia & China in paritular vote for it and somehow get the 9 votes required for UN backed action then we will see how lowly the US actually view the UN. It could even lead to WW3. But this is pie in the sky, I really don't think any of these countries on the other side of the last vote would push for it anyway. Just an interesting idea, see how we would respond to China trying to police the Middle East on humanitarian grounds where the US has serious strategic/military interests. Like I've said before these dictatorships are not a problem when they are 'our sons of b****es'.

Rob, can we expect to see your shots in a local newspaper anytime soon?

[markmarples]

if you were a libyan what would you do, go to the trouble of joining this site and checking all the threads or just watch the TV! or listen to a scanner themselves!, im sure there are sympathsisers here in the UK who may have been monitoring bases directly

[GOOSE]

Greatful if you Gents could now please draw a line under your differences? On behalf of the forum that would be appreciated.

I'm not sure if you are ever going to agree with each other but would respectfully ask that you take your differences to pm. Many thanks.

[pikey01]

the MOD know of such sites like ours, if they had a problem and felt
it was a threat, it would be shutdown.

Its also worth pointing out that in the past, the MOD have contacted FC staff to remove info posted on here, which FC staff have done (rightly so) without a second thought.

[GOOSE]

Pikey is spot on there.

[welshandy]

Mail on Sunday has made some bloopers this morning. The Canadians fly F18 "Growler",Tornado to drop "Cluster Bombs". The article is on page 3

[garyscott]

Im glad all our lads and lasses made it back ok, sheer professionalism. May i ask what a "D-restriction" is regarding photographs, as ive never heard that term before?

Regards,
Gary.

[pikey01]

Im glad all our lads and lasses made it back ok, sheer professionalism. May i ask what a "D-restriction" is regarding photographs, as ive never heard that term before?

Regards,
Gary.

I dont know the exact defination, but anyone taking photo's on MOD property should have a photo permit, and in some cases, needs to submit the photo(s) to be screened by the MOD to make sure there is nothing classified in view.

[garyscott]

Cheers Pikey! Just never heard that term.