Libya: On Ground Updates
- Operation Odyssey Dawn Begins -
110+ Tomahawk Missiles Launched Against Libyan Sites
Saturday, March 19, 2011
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DOD graphic by Paul Sherman
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Coalition Launches Libya Attacks
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From U.S. Department of Defense
Coalition Launches ‘Odyssey Dawn’ to Implement No-fly Zone
Saturday, March 19, 2011
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Coalition forces launched “Operation Odyssey Dawn” today to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country’s ruler..
The goal of the military coalition is to prevent further attacks by regime forces on Libyan citizens, officials said, adding that the coalition also wants to degrade the ability of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime to resist a no-fly zone being implemented.
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U.S. military forces are on the leading edge of the coalition operation, taking out Libya’s integrated air and missile defense system, Defense Department officials said. The ordnance is aimed at radars and anti-aircraft sites around the capital of Tripoli and other facilities along the Mediterranean coast.
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Operation Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney. The Mount Whitney joins 24 other ships from Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom and France in launching the operation.
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Cruise missiles from U.S. submarines and frigates began the attack on the anti-aircraft system. A senior defense official speaking on background said the attacks will “open up the environment so we could enforce the no-fly zone from east to west throughout Libya.”
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In addition to the cruise missiles, the United States will provide command and control and logistics. American airmen and sailors also will launch electronic attacks against the systems.
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The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada already have announced that they are part of the coalition. Officials expect Arab countries will publicly announce their participation soon.
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Written by Jim Garamone - DoD/American Forces Press Service - Image courtesy of DoD
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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 19, 2011
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* Remarks by the President on Libya *
Tryp Convention Brasil 21 Center
Brasilia, Brazil
Brasilia, Brazil
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5:07pm BRT
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THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Today I authorized the Armed Forces of the United States to begin a limited military action in Libya in support of an international effort to protect Libyan civilians. That action has now begun.
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In this effort, the United States is acting with a broad coalition that is committed to enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which calls for the protection of the Libyan people. That coalition met in Paris today to send a unified message, and it brings together many of our European and Arab partners..
This is not an outcome that the United States or any of our partners sought. Even yesterday, the international community offered Muammar Qaddafi the opportunity to pursue an immediate cease-fire, one that stopped the violence against civilians and the advances of Qaddafi’s forces. But despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity. His attacks on his own people have continued. His forces have been on the move. And the danger faced by the people of Libya has grown.
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I am deeply aware of the risks of any military action, no matter what limits we place on it. I want the American people to know that the use of force is not our first choice and it’s not a choice that I make lightly. But we cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy, and his forces step up their assaults on cities like Benghazi and Misurata, where innocent men and women face brutality and death at the hands of their own government.
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So we must be clear: Actions have consequences, and the writ of the international community must be enforced. That is the cause of this coalition.
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As a part of this effort, the United States will contribute our unique capabilities at the front end of the mission to protect Libyan civilians, and enable the enforcement of a no-fly zone that will be led by our international partners. And as I said yesterday, we will not -- I repeat -- we will not deploy any U.S. troops on the ground.
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As Commander-in-Chief, I have great confidence in the men and women of our military who will carry out this mission. They carry with them the respect of a grateful nation.
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I'm also proud that we are acting as part of a coalition that includes close allies and partners who are prepared to meet their responsibility to protect the people of Libya and uphold the mandate of the international community.
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I've acted after consulting with my national security team, and Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress. And in the coming hours and days, my administration will keep the American people fully informed. But make no mistake: Today we are part of a broad coalition. We are answering the calls of a threatened people. And we are acting in the interests of the United States and the world.
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Thank you very much.
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END
5:10pm BRT
5:10pm BRT
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White House file photo
White House file photo
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* TheGlobeAndMail.com has the following AP report posted up on their website this Saturday afternoon and it starts off like this... Hospital workers in this rebel-held city on Libya's coast laid out the bodies in their morgue Saturday in three groups: soldiers who tried to seize the city for ruler Moammar Gadhafi, rebels who fought to keep them out, and civilians who died in the crossfire... All three are parts of the battle for this city - Libya's second largest - whose fate could determine whether Western intervention can stop Mr. Gadhafi from stamping out the rebellion seeking to end his 42-year rule... “This city is a symbol of the revolution,” Essam Gheriani, a spokesman for the opposition. “It's where it started and where it will end if this city falls.”...
Read this report in full at link below...
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* Libya Videos: Operation Odyssey Dawn *
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- War Plane Shot Down Over Benghazi -
About above video: A fighter jet has been shot down over the rebel-held Libyan city of Benghazi, despite demands worldwide for an immediate ceasefire.
Video courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk
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Safe Flying to all our Coalition Pilot Friends
AubreyJ.........
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