What U.S. naval assets are likely to be near Libya?

[vois2]

I know this forum is a great place for insights. I am beginning to wonder whether both the U.S. administration and even the U.N. Security Council can manage to fend off the slaughter that will continue in western Libya, until they act. So I ask those knowledgeable here: What assets is the U.S. Navy likely to have in the Gulf of Sidra at this time? I'm curious about all thoughts. Will Ghaddafi be eating Tomahawks for dinner by Thursday night? Thanks all.

[TLAM Strike]

Most likely it would be ships from CARSTRKGRU 2.

George H.W. Bush CVN
Anzio CG
Truxtun DDG
Gettysburg DDG
Mitscher DDG
Almirante Juan de Borbón FFG (Spanish)Primauguet DDG (French)
Perle SSN (French)

Currently they are prob in the Atlantic, they just completed maneuvers off Mayport.

CARSTRKGRU 1 is in the Indian Ocean.

Carl Vinson CVN
Bunker Hill CG
Stockdale DDG
Gridley DDG

Ships from CARSTRKGRU 12 make a port call in Turkey on valentine's day, and are now in the Indian Ocean.
Enterprise CVN
Leyte Gulf CG
Sterett DDG
Bulkeley DDG

The USS Kearsarge LHD 3 and her group are somewhere in the Indian Ocean. USS Bataan LHD 5 is in Mayport on a port call and could respond.

[Molon Labe]

Does it bother anyone else that the USS Stout (DDG 55) is the only US Navy ship in the entire Mediterranean Sea? Shouldn't there be more?

http://twitter.com/Galrahn

[TLAM Strike]

Does it bother anyone else that the USS Stout (DDG 55) is the only US Navy ship in the entire Mediterranean Sea? Shouldn't there be more?


Against Libya, honestly; that's all we need... :rock:

[Freiwillige]

Not to mention we have air assets in Germany and Italy that could easily reach Libya.

[vois2]

Thanks, TLAM. I love this forum, it is always hot to trot like this.

[Platapus]

Why would the US launch weapons at Libya??

[vois2]

Get the foreigners out of the country, and once that is done, some targeted cruise missiles on Gaddafi's strongholds and remaining loyal barracks and facilities; acting on a UN Sec. Council mandate.

But who am I kidding, you actually have to have balls to stand up and prevent slaughter...

Hopefully, the oil market will mean enough to do something.

[Oberon]

Why would the US launch weapons at Libya??

Airspace and/or port clearance to evacuate people. Foreign nationals want out, but there's been a number of airspace closures. Depending on how Gadaffi plays it we could send in a warship and say that if it's shot at then the gloves come off and use the warship to help escort ships of foreign nationals out, likewise escort an airliner in. It's pretty brinksmanship stuff and would be done at the very last, but it's a possibly scenario.
Another scenario if the UN grows a pair anytime is to enforce a no-fly zone over Libyan cities to stop Gadaffi bombing the protesters from the air.
I doubt either will occur though.

[Platapus]

Depending on how Gadaffi plays it we could send in a warship and say that if it's shot at then the gloves come off and use the warship to help escort ships of foreign nationals out, likewise escort an airliner in.

Sounds like a good way to escalate. Unless we have a NEO concern, I don't think there is anything in Libya worth a single American military life.

If we have US citizens there, we should get them out. But I see no reason for the US to become involved if there are other nations with issues. Each nation should handle their issues themselves.

We are not the world's police force nor are we the saviors of all nations.

The last thing we need is to get involved in another ill defined shooting war.

Besides, just like in Egypt, we don't know exactly what the "other side" will do if they "win".

[TLAM Strike]

Why would the US launch weapons at Libya??
To make sure some of the stuff and or people Quaddafi might be hiding doesn't make it in to the hands of groups likely to use them. ;)

[Castout]

Sounds like a good way to escalate. Unless we have a NEO concern, I don't think there is anything in Libya worth a single American military life.

If we have US citizens there, we should get them out. But I see no reason for the US to become involved if there are other nations with issues. Each nation should handle their issues themselves.

We are not the world's police force nor are we the saviors of all nations.

The last thing we need is to get involved in another ill defined shooting war.

Besides, just like in Egypt, we don't know exactly what the "other side" will do if they "win".

So using the same reasoning why did the US ask for the global community to fight terrorism together?

Your reasoning to be honest will help make a strong anti US sentiment in the new regimes about to come out from these states. China will be hopeful that that is exactly what the US will do. To do nothing. To be apathetic.

What's happening in the Arab world is an eye opener that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. The evolutions that's happening in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and Yemen is a proof that these Arab people only want their rights respected as a dignified human being instead suffering longer oppression. Many of them actually look to the west for help and putting pressure.

Honestly a free society which unable to appreciate another society struggle to be free from oppression doesn't deserve theirs or could very well have lost theirs.

If some people in the US government think that US foreign policy should not be tied with moral considerations then it must expect the same principle to be applied against them. That is to say okay to terrorism at least as long as the victim being the United States of America and or her allies.

[yubba]

Sounds like a good way to escalate. Unless we have a NEO concern, I don't think there is anything in Libya worth a single American military life.
".
I bet the US government can't wait too loose more american lives for oil. So why does NASA want to go to the moon to fine water to make fuel when we have plenty here. If they don't get a handle on this , it could start a world war. Barrel of oil over 100 dollars in the states.

[TLAM Strike]

I bet the US government can't wait too loose more american lives for oil. So why does NASA want to go to the moon to fine water to make fuel when we have plenty here.
Because there are no people in turbans shooting at us on Luna. :03:

Plus the moon is just to get us to Your Anus... errr Uranus where there is 4.3x10^27 kg of Natural Gas (Methane) free for the taking. NASA it has a solution for the energy crisis.

[Tribesman]

So why does NASA want to go to the moon to fine water to make fuel when we have plenty here.
They want to go build a secret telescope to hide the evil planet of doom:up:

The last thing we need is to get involved in another ill defined shooting war.

Platapus
Yes, and civil wars are very ill defined plus there are the cross border problems which complicate it even more.

So using the same reasoning why did the US ask for the global community to fight terrorism together?

Castout, the global war on terror has drained the US, they simply cannot afford another open ended deployment.
What is needed is strong action by the UN, but that isn't going to happen until the big 5 have worked out who they think is going to be the winners to back and what contracts they think they can get out of the winner, that will drag on and on until al 5 are reasonably happy about what they think they are going to get out of it.
If they don't all agree that their favourite is on to a winner and they are going to benefit then you will end up with the all too frequent weak gesture a few weeks or months down the line.

[Type941]

meanwhile in libya, al kaida is already establishing khalifats in some towns as already reported. Ye ye, protestors and freedom - but al kaida is what you get. I think US needs to think about this a bit more and may be Europe will grow some balls though I doubt - it's so full of muslim imigrants who will take offence at Europe bombing islamists. THe world has nothing going for it at the moment. I'd short Earth if I could... :S

[TLAM Strike]

Western European assets deployed to the area... (http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/02/libya-western-european-response-assets.html)

[Molon Labe]

Damn, you beat me to it!

[krashkart]

US sends rescue assets to Libya:

http://www.safetots.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/baby-water-wings-bands.jpg

[Platapus]

To make sure some of the stuff and or people Quaddafi might be hiding doesn't make it in to the hands of groups likely to use them. ;)

We can only play that card so many times. :)

[Platapus]

Many of them actually look to the west for help and putting pressure.

And that's where I think you are mistaken. One should not assume that "help" from the US would be greeted with open arms.

Just because some people are revolting against their government does not necessarily mean they want US interference. Especially considering our "strings attached" foreign policy.

How much of the current situations were influenced because the US presumed that it was needed to "fix" stuff and went in assuming that people were indeed "looking to the west for help"? I suspect more than may be commonly believed.

[TLAM Strike]

More ships on the way.

Xuzhou a PLAN Jiangkai-II class missile frigate
Choi Young a ROKN KDX-II class destroyer
INS Jalashawa a Indian Navy Austin class LSD plus two unnamed escorts.

[TLAM Strike]

Photos of some ships in Malta and Libya:
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7748/800xfw.jpg
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/8494/800xvy.jpg
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7374/800xs.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2971/800xp.jpg
The Deutsche Marine (German Navy) Bremen-class frigate Rheinland-Pfalz enters Valletta's Grand Harbour February 25, 2011. Together with the support ship 'Berlin', it is in Malta in readiness for any eventuality, including evacuation of European Union citizens from Libya, according to local media. http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4968/800xxy.jpg
The Deutsche Marine (German Navy) Type 702 combat support ship 'Berlin' enters Valletta's Grand Harbour February 25, 2011. The ship is in Malta in readiness for any eventuality, including evacuation of European Union citizens from Libya, according to local media. http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8131/800xr.jpg
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/315/800xxz.jpg
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1566/800xz.jpg
Helicopters are seen inside the German Navy Ship "Berlin" as it arrives at the harbor in Valletta, Malta, Friday, Feb. 25, 2011. Maltese port authorities said the ship entered the Valletta harbor for shelter from rough seas. http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8434/800xb.jpg
French (front) and German naval vessels (back) sit docked in the Maltese capital, Valletta on February 25, 2011. A group of four navel vessels from Germany, France and Italy are currently awaiting orders in Valetta in preparation for a possible evacuation of foreign nationals from Libya. http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/8131/800xr.jpg
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/8826/800xiy.jpg
A French frigate, Tourville sits docked in the Maltese capital, Valletta on February 25, 2011. http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/69/800xfd.jpg
An Italian naval ship sits docked in the Maltese capital, Valletta on February 25, 2011. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2627/800xt.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2241/x800l.jpg
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/9462/800xu.jpg
Evacuees from Libya, mostly Chinese, arrive at the port of Herakleion, on Crete island on February 24, 2011. Thousands of Chinese and scores of Europeans began landing Thursday at the port of Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete after their evacuation from unrest-hit Libya aboard chartered Greek ferries. The first boat from the Libyan port of Benghazi, the ferry Hellenic Spirit, reached Heraklion after 1200 GMT and was followed by the ferry Olympic champion, an. http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5198/800xja.jpg
The British frigate, HMS Cumberland is seen docked, in Benghazi, Libya February 24, 2011. HMS Cumberland was sent to Libya as part of Operation Deference, the name given to the operation to help British nationals in Libya. Britain urged the world to exert greater pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Thursday and the European Union said it was considering sending a humanitarian intervention force to the country. http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/2627/800xt.jpg
A boy stands next to residents and a former soldier of Muammar Gaddafi in Benghazi February 24, 2011. Residents of Benghazi have jailed those they say are mercenaries and set up defences around this eastern city now out of the control of leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has lost control of swathes of Libya. After a week of violence in which it threw off government control, this elegant port of about 700,000 is being run by committees of citizens as the dust of rebellion settles. http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/2964/800xn.jpg
Suspected African mercenaries sit in a room in a court as they are held by anti-government protesters, in Benghazi February 24, 2011. About a dozen people were being held in a court building who residents said were "mercenaries" backing Gaddafi. Some were said to be African and others from southern Libya. FROM: Militaryphotos.net

[Molon Labe]

Awesome photos!

[Schroeder]

Damn it, the French thing looks better than ours.:damn::damn:

:O:

[TLAM Strike]

Damn it, the French thing looks better than ours.:damn::damn:

:O:
Naw, that German Frigate is about 10 years newer and carries a bit more weapons.

[Schroeder]

I was talking about looks, not capabilities.;)

[goldorak]

I was talking about looks, not capabilities.;)

Don't worry, the new FREMMs will destroy in look and capability those old german frigates. :O: :O:

[vois2]

TLAM Strike ... you are awesome. Your stuff is just great!! Thanks!

[vois2]

TLAM, is it CARSTRKGRU 1 which is the one that the New York Times refers to, in their story tonight about Pentagon's positioning of assets for possible action in Libya?

[TLAM Strike]

Update:
http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/03/naval-assets-libya.html

[Kaye T. Bai]

There's two major naval installations in Rota, Spain and Naples, Italy that could dispatch some ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Navy_installations

[vois2]

Kaye T. Bai wrote . . .
There's two major naval installations in Rota, Spain and Naples, Italy that could dispatch some ships.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Navy_installations

Rota is truly massive. I was dispatched there on temporary duty for two weeks in the early 90s [I was USAF, myself] and I walked and walked that installation in every direction. One day I was WAY distant from the main part of the base, and a U.S. diesel sub was docked at a very remote dock, and I talked my way on board for a short tour [luckily had my active duty military ID]. The rest is history -- it was the genesis of my love for all things naval.

[vois2]

Quite an update on U.S. naval assets located off Libya, by New York Times here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/world/middleeast/07military.html?_r=1&hp

[Castout]

Castout, the global war on terror has drained the US, they simply cannot afford another open ended deployment.
What is needed is strong action by the UN, but that isn't going to happen until the big 5 have worked out who they think is going to be the winners to back and what contracts they think they can get out of the winner, that will drag on and on until al 5 are reasonably happy about what they think they are going to get out of it.
If they don't all agree that their favourite is on to a winner and they are going to benefit then you will end up with the all too frequent weak gesture a few weeks or months down the line.

Don't tell me there's nothing they could do to help. I just don't believe that. People are getting killed there. The civilians are forced to take up arms since Gaddafi are massacring the peaceful protesters.

The rebels have asked for air support from US or Europe. I think they are playing the waiting game. But I applaud president Obama plain and strong statement that Gaddafi needed to go.

I expect a lot from the British Prime Minister as well. David Cameron and Obama in my honest opinion are the two greatest state leaders the world have at the moment. I hope whatever they are trying to do that they do it sooner than later.

Someone mentioned that there's price to pay for action taken and inaction as well. I'm aware the fleet they are deploying is putting some kind of pressure on Gaddafi but that's not enough. What we have now is nothing but warlord trying to hold a city and regain the country through sheer violence and intimidation. These are human lives we are talking about. Persons just like you and me.

[Kaye T. Bai]

Rota is truly massive. I was dispatched there on temporary duty for two weeks in the early 90s [I was USAF, myself] and I walked and walked that installation in every direction. One day I was WAY distant from the main part of the base, and a U.S. diesel sub was docked at a very remote dock, and I talked my way on board for a short tour [luckily had my active duty military ID]. The rest is history -- it was the genesis of my love for all things naval.

The USAF also operates surface ships, strangely enough. :up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_of_the_United_States_Air_Force

[TorpX]

I would like to see us help finish Quidaffi off. I know there are no guarantees, but the next regime has at least a possibility of being better.

I doubt Obama will do much of anything. IMO, a no-fly zone is pointless; it merely locks in a stalemate. It would be better to bomb his air bases and solve the problem that way. No-fly zones are just a substitute for action. If we didn't want to get 'directly' involved, we could send some small ground units, quietly; say a couple batteries of artillery and AA. It wouldn't take that much to tip the balance. At least, that is my guess.

[Castout]

IMO, a no-fly zone is pointless; it merely locks in a stalemate. It would be better to bomb his air bases and solve the problem that way. No-fly zones are just a substitute for action. If we didn't want to get 'directly' involved, we could send some small ground units, quietly; say a couple batteries of artillery and AA. It wouldn't take that much to tip the balance. At least, that is my guess.


Yeah I agree they need to be involved not just in enforcing no fly zone but actively helping the rebels.

[Kaye T. Bai]

No fly zones, eh? Takes me back to the 1990s. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_no-fly_zones)

[vois2]

TLAM, is another update available on the listing of assets? (The last update was 02 March- I don't know whether you are in charge of the update at the site used before).

National Public Radio (in USA) was saying that USS Enterprise was diverted from Arabian Sea to go hang out in the Red Sea.

[TLAM Strike]

TLAM, is another update available on the listing of assets? (The last update was 02 March- I don't know whether you are in charge of the update at the site used before).

National Public Radio (in USA) was saying that USS Enterprise was diverted from Arabian Sea to go hang out in the Red Sea.


I've heard nothing new.

But I did find some pics of the PLAN escorting some of the ships leaving libya.

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2011/03/chinese-army-likely-to-join-more.html

[vois2]

I guess Obama has set out to answer the question from Platapus (post #7).

Nonetheless, Ghaddafi, who resides in his own version of reality at all times, can be trusted to continue attacks or killings where he feels that he can get away with it; not to mention that the allied forces don't seem hardly ready to take real action. TLAM may correct me on that though.

[TLAM Strike]

I guess Obama has set out to answer the question from Platapus (post #7).

Nonetheless, Ghaddafi, who resides in his own version of reality at all times, can be trusted to continue attacks or killings where he feels that he can get away with it; not to mention that the allied forces don't seem hardly ready to take real action. TLAM may correct me on that though.

Allied TO&E as of now...

10-12+ F-16s
6 CF-18s
A French Frigate, Charlies De Gaulle on 72 hour alert to sail (28-35 Aircraft)
Italian Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi with up to 16 AV-8B Harrier IIs in AO, plus Tornado ECR SEAD aircraft on alert.
A Belgian Frigate
UK Tornadoes and Typhoons plus A2A tankers.
Other NATO tankers
Plus other assets mentioned in this thread.

The only other major US asset I now know to be in the Med is the USS Florida SSGN 728

[TLAM Strike]

UPDATE:
http://defensetech.org/2011/03/20/the-weapons-were-hitting-ghadafi-with/

[Tchocky]

USS Providence launching Tomahawks against enemy land forces?

....this won't end well