SAS / Royal Navy / Royal Air force in Libya

[sigma]

Ach you know what I mean. A building where some workers might be sitting, how's that?

I'd imaigne it would go something like:

Man chucks stone at house.

Man with gun points gun and says "Don't do that again".

Man chucks stone at house.

Man with gun points gun and says "Don't do that again" and fires warning shot.

Man chucks weapon at house.

Pow pow.

 

[neil3k]

Pointless having the conversation with you tbh.

I see your location is NI, throwing stones and opening fire are 2 different things, I would have thought you would have known that.

haha

agreed

2 sugars no milk please thx

 

[do_ron_ron]

So, we've got all the reports of the SAS / SBS / RAF etc etc making daring evacuation airlifts yesterday, and more planned for today to pick up not only British, but also other oil workers. We also have the reports that a Royal Navy Frigate and Royal Navy Destroyer are in and around the waters, picking up civilians from ports etc.

Most other countries have chartered passenger ferries etc etc. A few have sent smaller ships, but not really on this scale.

Libya has also protested about the British military hardware in the area, and going into the country.

Do we think there is a bit of posturing in this, or is this just the necessary measures to get the rest of the people out?

Mal

This was in an area not under the control of Gaddafi, from what is being said in the media. Diplomats went out with the first lot before the actual operation to make sure of no official(opposition forces) resistance to the operation. Special forces went out to secure the perimeter of the desert airstrip from the armed gangs the oil workers were talking about while the Herc landed and picked up foreigners.

Not quite the gung ho SAS type operation, more of a standard extraction.

There was a large ferry taking out foreign nationals from Italy or Ukraine or some other country from Benghazi while the UK Govt was still sleeping.

Of course the Libyan(read Gaddafi element) would protest about the operation.

The chartered planes that were meant to be sent out to rescue nationals did not go for various reasons.

Not really the finest hour.

 

[Destination]

lol



How would you go about stoning an oil rig?

Oh come on now, the folks in the country next door, tied bread to their heads as makeshift helmets.......

Stoning a land based rig isn't such a jump

 

[G|mp]

What because I live in NI? I should know all about opening fire on people and the odd riot?

No not at all, I thought you might know the difference between throwing stones and firing rounds at innocent people.

What we're talking about is civilians being targeted and the armed forces going in to get them out, there is a whole World of difference in the 2 and I fail to understand what you don't get?

I don't think the Libyian army equip themselves with bricks and bits of slate going into battle.

 

[Andy90]

I didn't say getting shot, i said attacked!

And i still believe they wouldn't open fire.

Think about what the media would do if they found out the SAS gunned a few people down because they started to stone some oil rig.

Throwing stones at an oil ring - I don't think the SAS or SBS would open fire - they're not idiots, they're highly trained soldiers / sailors and know exactly how to deal with an excitable rabble. Few rounds over their heads, smoke and stun grenades, bit of CS Gas - soon sort them out.

People armed firing at British Citizens and endangering their lives? - I'm pretty sure the SAS / SBS would return fire.

Media reaction - pretty sure almost the entire British press would say "well done chaps for protecting our Countrymen".

Might get the odd whining apologist rag dithering but in the main most people in the UK would and do support the SAS /SBS.

 

[dowie]

They are pulling them out of the desert oil camps, the military have the ability to do this whereas civilian serves do not.

This tbh...

The military flights took time to plan and they didn't go in until diplomatic staff had been evacuated from the embassy. They were pretty much needed in order to reach remote locations and tbh... despite what the chav wives of some of those oil workers were bleeting about in the news I don't think the govt has necessarily been dragging its heels over this.

Obama is getting criticised in the US too because the US only chartered a ferry and the yanks seemingly wanted to see the 6th fleet getting involved or something - reality is he's got US citizens out without causing a hostage situation and the US couldn't initially get civilian chartered flights into Tripoli as the Libyans denied them permission. The UK was also delayed in getting flights into Tripoli compared with other countries.

 

[Whackeygrunt]

Pointless having the conversation with you tbh.

I see your location is NI, throwing stones and opening fire are 2 different things, I would have thought you would have known that.

oooo burn!

On a serious note I would hope that our forces would open fire if they or any of our people there were under attack in any way. Show no weakness, no mercy and no quarter! Same should be done in regards to Somali pirates and enemey froces in the current warzones we are deployed in. But it wont happen, too much PC crap in control.

 

[footman]

Using Special Forces is all about using the best resources available to the job efficiently, with minimum fuss and maximum safety.

 

[sigma]

Same should be done in regards to Somali pirates and enemey froces in the current warzones we are deployed in. But it wont happen, too much PC crap in control.

Yeah, that'll go down well with all the other unarmed vessels being taken over now won't it?

 

[Robbo]

Using Special Forces is all about using the best resources available to the job efficiently, with minimum fuss and maximum safety.

Indeed, good on them using the SAS to get our folks out safely (or as safely as possible)

 

[Nico_Joey]

Using Special Forces is all about using the best resources available to the job efficiently, with minimum fuss and maximum safety.

That would be my immediate thought too, i was under the impression the SAS where a formost authority with these kinds of intense civilian conflict situations?

 

[Cosimo]

Using Special Forces is all about using the best resources available to the job efficiently, with minimum fuss and maximum safety.

Given the circumstances it is the only way to do it.

You have to smile at the front page headline in the Sunday Times today, “Daring SAS raid rescues 150 from Libyan Desert”. The rescue has become a raid.

 

[Vindaloo2]

All of the oil workers make 100% sure they don't pay a penny tax but they cry for the cavalry to come and save them

Don't get me wrong I support the army going in.

So you never use fuel oils from the middle east ?

 

[Whackeygrunt]

Yeah, that'll go down well with all the other unarmed vessels being taken over now won't it?

It's about time only armed vessels pass through that region. If companies want to continue using it as a shipping lane then they need to defend themselves or always travel with an armed, military escort.

The pirates attack with antiquated RPG weapons and AK47's. It really would not be hard to fend them off with modern weapons tech installed onto any ships travelling in that area. If they are hostile enough to attack then they deserve to die.

As for all the morons sailing through that region on leisure cruises or "look at us being all cultural and traversing the world" enlightenment missions without any protection... Then they choose their own fate. Rescue missions are a very generous action performed on their behalf. There should be no flailing around trying to negotiate money transfers for the frail pirates.

 

[Strife212]

So you never use fuel oils from the middle east ?

Uh, what?

 

[sigma]

It's about time only armed vessels pass through that region. If companies want to continue using it as a shipping lane then they need to defend themselves or always travel with an armed, military escort.

Are you willing to pay for this then?

 

[Rameses]

Who's running/protecting the oil fields now then?

 

[EdGey]

We have the resources to do it, why not use them?

I think the SAS etc is just to warn people away from certian areas.

Would you start attacking people who are under the protection of the SAS?

 

[Berserker]

Seems like emergency response triggered by red-faced officials caught with their pants down when it all kicked off. With some practicalities and a little 'posturing' thrown in for good measure.

Not that I believe we'll get involved - beyond (at least officially) stopping the supply of arms that we should never have started in the first place.