As Ghadafi leads his people into the abyss, it is interesting to see what he is up against. Will his Megalomania survive?
Here's a look at some of the international military assets in or heading to the region to help enforce the U.N.-sanctioned no-fly zone over Libya:
United States:
— After barrage of attacks by sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles Saturday, an array of U.S. warplanes — including several Air force B-2 stealth bombers — followed in the pre-dawn hours Sunday with a co-ordinated assault using precision-guided bombs
—Navy EA-18G Growlers launched from unspecified land bases to provide electronic warfare support over Libya.
—Marine AV-8B Harriers from the USS Kearsarge sailing in the Mediterranean conducted strikes against Gadhafi's ground forces and air defences.
France:
—Deployed eight Rafale and four Mirage jets to survey rebel-held Benghazi; one fired on a Libyan military vehicle in first military strike of operation.
—Six C-135 refuelling tankers
—1 AWACS surveillance plane
—Deployed the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the region from Toulon, accompanied by the anti-submarine frigate Dupleix, the Aconit frigate and a refuelling ship, La Meuse.
Canada:
—Sent six F-18s to Italy base; 140 military personnel involved.
—Frigate HMCS Charlottetown is in Mediterranean for possible staging ground for Canadian forces.
Denmark:
—Six F-16s arrived at U.S. air base in Sigonella, Sicily and could be deployed as early as Sunday; 132 support staff.
Italy:
—Offered use of seven military bases: U.S. air bases at Sigonella, Sicily and Aviano in northern Italy; Italian air bases in Amendola near Foggia, Decimomannu in Sardinia, Gioia del Colle near Bari, base on Sicilian island of Pantelleria, and the military airport of Trapani, Sicily.
—Proposed NATO base in Naples serve as co-ordination point for operation.
—Says it has four anti-radar and anti-missile Tornados and six other aircraft available to fly with 15 minutes notice.
—Aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi off Sicily with eight aircraft aboard.
Spain:
—Sent four F-18s and a Boeing 707 refuelling plane to Italy base.
—Deploying a submarine, naval frigate and a surveillance plane.
—Placed two bases at NATO's disposal, Rota and Moron de la Frontera, where several U.S. Air Force planes were seen Friday.
Britain:
—Said it would send Typhoon and Tornado jets to air bases Sunday or Monday.
—Britain's air base in southern Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, supporting AWACS surveillance aircraft and has a team of personnel there to co-ordinate British aircraft movement.
—Two British frigates, HMS Westminster and HMS Cumberland, are in the Mediterranean off Libya's coast.
Norway:
—Offered six F-16s, with around 100 support staff, but operational capabilities five-six days off.
—Considering contributing an Orion maritime surveillance plane.
Belgium:
—8 Belgian F-16s and 200 air force personnel are now at the Greek air base of Araxos west of Athens, the Belga news agency reported. They will be ready to start flying missions on Monday.
Sadly there will be many deaths of innocent people, whether this conflict lasts days or years. Can we as a country, afford to be involved on two fronts Afghanistan and Libya. Most professors of warfare say that fighting on two fronts is a recipe for disaster.
I pray that no Canadian lives are lost in the North African conflict. I pray that Ghaddafi is either taken out immediately or he realises that this is simply a last ditch effort to save face.
Please SUPPORT our Troops and think of their families during these troubled times.
Nil Sine labore
Robby
