Boots on the ground

[ladder13]

Now we know the CIA is/has been in Libya. Anyone hear that the 26th M.E.U. is headed for Libya? A recently retired friend has said they are. Godspeed to our troops.

[Chili Vega]

" To the shores of Tripoli" again.

[Trooperdan]

Yep, the 26th MEU will be on float in that area!

[tripledipper]

Gates said today "no boots on the ground while I still have this job". A couple of BN's on MEU's have left from LeJeune for Libya or are already there.

[m1gunner]

CIA military advisers ARE "Boots on the Ground". Those guys aren't there to be tourists, and you can bet they all have .mil creds in their packets.

It is the 60's all over again...........

edit to add: I wonder if Air America is ramping up and hiring?

[PALADIN85020]

I heard reports that the rebel anti-Khadafi folks have uncovered a whole bunch of mustard and nerve gas shells from the Libyan military which they promptly sold to Iran for money to finance their efforts. Israel is all over that news item for fear that the Iranians will be tempted to use those goodies on their country.

One wonders if supporting the Libyan rebels will put us in the position of propping up the Muslim Brotherhood in their efforts to assume power in Libya.

This whole thing is getting to be a can of worms. I think that American lives will be lost again - and for what? The whole Middle East is in turmoil, and we are injecting the U.S. into it again. These festering sores of conflict will not be salved by us.

John

[m75rlg]

I don't think there has been an "announcment", but a leak regarding CIA operatives in Lybia. Maybe the leak was sanctioned, maybe not.

I would be suprised, and disappointed, if they (CIA operatives) were not there, as well as numerous other countries around the world, both friend and foe!

If they are not there, we are not getting our money's worth, even though it is "hidden" in the actual budget documents, and we have no idea who and how much we are paying.

Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of actual CIA operations, other than some "casual" observations of certain "going ons" in Sourth Florida in the 1970's regarding something called Alpha 66, INS and ATF, and their interactions. Any alligations of actual knowledge of any event, or rumors of events, or even any non-event, are hereby denied.

[handejector]

3 edits or deletions in 8 posts.

We can discuss Libya, and we can discuss any assets we might have there, but we won't be blending in any domestic politics.

So,

NO
Politics

or it gets locked.

[wbraswell]

Do you think there are countries on this orb, that the "company" or some other U.S. intelligence organization isn't in? Hey, is intelligence organization a double oxymoron?

[rags]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Now we know the CIA is/has been in Libya. Anyone hear that the 26th M.E.U. is headed for Libya? A recently retired friend has said they are. Godspeed to our troops.

We probably shouldn't know that...

rags

[deralte]

The local paper had an AP piece today about the CIA in Libya. They were the ones that got the Weapons Officer from the rebels several weeks ago. Also the local news was showing the Marines loading up for their boat trip to Libya.

[CW Spook]

26th M.E.U. is on the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) which has been engaged there for over a week. Before the hand-off to NATO they were flying their Harriers on close support missions. No grunts on the ground as far as I know.

[venomballistics]

Originally Posted by m1gunner

CIA military advisers ARE "Boots on the Ground". Those guys aren't there to be tourists, and you can bet they all have .mil creds in their packets.

It is the 60's all over again...........

edit to add: I wonder if Air America is ramping up and hiring?

nah ... another operation ranch hand is pointless since its fairly pre defoliated

[jlrhiner]

That dude has been a nuissance for more years than I care to remember. If those folks will fight, give them what they need and throw his worthless butt out. With as much of this going on around the world, maybe we should look at colonization.

[Abbynormal]

the SAS had a squad captured in Lybia at least 2 weeks ago. It was on the BBC, but not a word state side. Makes me wonder what other snake eaters are there.

[Engineer1911]

Just let the cesspool come to a roiling boil without losing American lives in a lost cause.

[Bullseye 2620]

With all the top level defections from Gadaffi's cabinet, including his former security chief, and the presence of a couple of his sons' emissaries right now in London trying to cut a deal for an exit, I don't think this is going to be a protracted affair.

Let's hope the pencil-necked goon in Syria is next.


Bullseye

[OLDFED]

Doesn't South Korea have nearly one million of our Garands and more. Why not send them to the Libyan rebels? After the choice ones come home here first.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Never been to Libya, nor do I have any contacts who know much about it... so all I have to go on is what I have read or heard from media reports and officials over the years.

2003 and forward - I was told Libya gave up their ongoing WMD programs. US and UK removed thousands of tons of WMD from Libya and it was declared that Libya had fulfilled their commitments. Libya was taken off the list of state sponsors of terror and we resumed normal diplomatic relations. Frozen assets were released. Economic sanctions were lifted. Libya paid $2billion to terror victom families. Libya was welcomed at the UN, and among other things served as head of the UN Security Council. Just a couple years ago it was said that Libya was an ally of the US with the war on terror providing valuable intelligence on Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

In general, for the past 7 years or so Maummar has been portrayed as the poster child for a successful ME roadmap (byproduct of Iraq and Afghanistan) showing what is possible and the rewards to those who wish to comply and join the global community. Now all of a sudden he is the poster child for all that is wrong on planet Earth and we've dropped a half $billion in bombs on him in an effort to assist an overthrow by so-called "rebels" who no one seems to know who they are but rumored to include elements of terrorist organizations.

[beach elvis]

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil

Never been to Libya, nor do I have any contacts who know much about it... so all I have to go on is what I have read or heard from media reports and officials over the years.

2003 and forward - I was told Libya gave up their ongoing WMD programs. US and UK removed thousands of tons of WMD from Libya and it was declared that Libya had fulfilled their commitments. Libya was taken off the list of state sponsors of terror and we resumed normal diplomatic relations. Frozen assets were released. Economic sanctions were lifted. Libya paid $2billion to terror victom families. Libya was welcomed at the UN, and among other things served as head of the UN Security Council. Just a couple years ago it was said that Libya was an ally of the US with the war on terror providing valuable intelligence on Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

In general, for the past 7 years or so Maummar has been portrayed as the poster child for a successful ME roadmap (byproduct of Iraq and Afghanistan) showing what is possible and the rewards to those who wish to comply and join the global community. Now all of a sudden he is the poster child for all that is wrong on planet Earth and we've dropped a half $billion in bombs on him in an effort to assist an overthrow by so-called "rebels" who no one seems to know who they are but rumored to include elements of terrorist organizations.

Like seemingly all things of this nature, it's a tangled web.
The decisions for it to be as such were made by individuals who aren't interested in being known by the public who they are or of their activities. This is merely a supportless suspicion, mind you, but I wouldn't personally be shocked if CIA's been there for quite a while already. It's part of the gig. Certainly wouldn't be the first time.

And yup, firing on the Joe Sixpacks in your country that want you out doesn't make a leader look overly benevolent.

I'm sure Al Qaeda's waiting for the right opportunity to waltz in, bring "harmony and organization" to Libya, and let the base-building begin. Seems to me that the population over there were addressing a problem but not coming forth with a solution, other than Qadaffi's exit. But what then? I'm guessing when Qadaffi's gone, Al Qaeda and others will see Libya as the baby and the rule of it as being the candy.

Pretty much the same stuff that's been going on for thousands of years over there and will continue for time im memorium.(sp?) Are WE or anyone else gonna stop it?

[JcMack]

I just get this bad feeling. Somewhere Osama is sitting, watching current events, thinking: "It's all coming together"

[handejector]

Hmmmmmm......
Is the Mediterranean too small?

[walnutred]

Qadafi decided he needed to try and get along with the US and started turning over Alqada operatives. Partially as an excuse to get them out of his country in all probability.

So now the US and NATO have been convinced it's a good idea to attack a regime that was at least in a small way anti Alqada. Some how I get the feeling the bait was swallowed hook, line and sinker.

[Bullseye 2620]

I understand that some A-10s paid the Colonel's tanks a visit:




Bullseye

[Stevens]

In the 80s we helped the mujahedin "freedom fighters" kick out the USSR out of Afganistan. They repaid us by installing the Taliban, who enabeled Al-qaeda carrying out 9-11.
Steve W.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Originally Posted by Bullseye 2620

I understand that some A-10s paid the Colonel's tanks a visit:




Bullseye

Looks like that tank will no longer be violating the No Fly Zone.

[Badkarma 1]

Not only A-10s but "Spookie" has been on the prowl as well! I can pretty much guarantee that Spec Ops types are "observing and reconoitering" as we speak! I can neither confirm nor deny that my old unit may be over there, waiting for the word. Gods Speed gentlemen and HOOYAH! Dale

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil

Looks like that tank will no longer be violating the No Fly Zone.

Good point Phil.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Apparently, shooting down the flying tanks wasn't enough.

John McCain has visited Libya. From what I understand, McCain has personally defined the Libyan rebels as "my heros" with no links to terrorist organizations like al-Qaida. He's advocating funds, training, arms and other offensive support for his heros (though not committing the US to anything specific) while saying "Maybe we should be doing everything we can to help these people and maybe we're not, and they're dying."

From what I've read McCain's visit to Libya was coordinated with the WH, so I'm guessing this is the groundwork for a sales pitch to the American people for more... much more... US involvement in Libya.

[The Last Standing Knight]

To me, both sides are the bad guys. Nothing good will come of our support to the rebels. Indeed, I think it will merely increase our problems.
Europe's ONLY interest in this is OIL! Libya sells most of her oil to Europe. If this was not the issue, there are plenty of other, far worse places in the world where military action to save people from horrid regimes should've been used (Khymer Rouge, Darfur, the list goes on..) but did not. So why Libya and why now? That is the question that should be asked.

The people in that area of the world are experts at fighting each other and have been doing so since since Genesis 1 verse 2. No matter WHO is in charge...that's the way they're wired. 21st Century reasoning (such as it is) is not going to change a 5th Century mindset.
It is a good excuse for gauging prices, though. Get used to $6/Gallon gasoline.

[cowboy117]

Originally Posted by beach elvis

Pretty much the same stuff that's been going on for thousands of years over there and will continue for time im memorium.(sp?) Are WE or anyone else gonna stop it?

IMHO,no.-----

[JcMack]

Did not the USSR run themselves out of money by trying to maintain order in their "satellite" states, and far flung wars like Afghanistan? This little "pin the tail on the country" game shows what we're into. I do not wish to see another Troop die, or dollar spent "over there". I CERTAINLY, MOST CERTAINLY, support our troops, and the original mission. No longer do I support the mission clouded by the waffling COWARDS in our government, and the American people, what's happened to there spirit? Over what? Oil? I'll bite the bullet, as we all should and pay $20 a gallon before I see more "boots on the ground". Those people aren't worth it. They'll let us fight their war then turn on us like rabid dogs.

Rethinking Schools - Just For Fun - Map Game

[Out West]

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

One wonders if supporting the Libyan rebels will put us in the position of propping up the Muslim Brotherhood in their efforts to assume power in Libya.

Duh.

Out
West

[Out West]

Originally Posted by JcMack

No longer do I support the mission clouded by the waffling COWARDS in our government... Those people aren't worth it. They'll let us fight their war then turn on us like rabid dogs.

Truth.

Out
West