Operation Odyssey Dawn aka Beginning of Long Adventurous Journey

Operation Odyssey Dawn is the code name for the United States military’s participation in enforcement of the current Libyan no-fly zone.^[1] The United Kingdom counterpart to this is Operation Ellamy, the Canadian is Operation MOBILE and the French is Opération Harmattan.

The strategic direction of Operation Odyssey Dawn is under the authority of General Carter Ham, the commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The tactical direction of the operation is under the command of Admiral Sam Locklear, the commander of United States Naval Forces Europe onboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) in the Mediterranean Sea.^[1][3]

Deployed Forces

• United States Navy^[27]
  • USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), the command ship of the United States Sixth Fleet
    • The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of:
      • USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
      • USS Ponce (LPD-15), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock
      • embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
    • USS Barry (DDG-52), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
    • USS Stout (DDG-55), another Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
    • USS Providence (SSN-719), a Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine
    • USS Scranton (SSN-756), a second Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine
    • USS Florida (SSGN-728), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine^[28]
    • USNS Kanawha a Henry J. Kaiser-class oiler^[29]
    • USNS Lewis and Clark a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship^[30]
    • USNS Robert E. Peary a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship
    • The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde, and USS Whidbey Island, left their home port of Naval Station Norfolk on 23 March, bound for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to pick up the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. They planned to sail east around March 30th to relieve the 26th MEU in the Mediterranean Sea two months before the projected deployment date.^[31]
  • Five EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft operating out of NAS Sigonella and Aviano Air Base^[32][33]
  • One EP-3E ELINT aircraft ^[30]
  • Two P3-C UII maritime surveillance aircraft
  • Two P3-C AIP maritime surveillance aircraft

• United States Air Force^[34]
  • Three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers operating from Whiteman AFB. ^[35]
  • Ten F-15E Strike Eagle strike fighters operating out of RAF Lakenheath^[36][32][37]
  • Eight F-16C Fighting Falcon multirole fighters from Spangdahlem Air Base started leaving for Aviano on 20 March^[32][36]
  • Two HH-60 Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopters from RAF Lakenheath operating from USS Ponce (LPD-15). ^[38]
  • EC-130H electronic warfare (communications jamming) aircraft
  • EC-130J psychological operations aircraft
  • Lockheed AC-130 Aerial Gunship
  • Global Hawk unmanned aerial surveillance vehicle
  • Lockheed U-2 Reconnaissance aircraft ^[39][40]

• United States Marine Corps
  • Four AV-8B Harrier II ground attack fighters from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operating off of USS Kearsarge^[32][41]
  • Two MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from the 26th MEU participated in the pilot rescue.^[42]
  • Two CH-53E Super Stallions from the 26th MEU participated in the pilot rescue.^[42]
  • One KC-130J Hercules from the 26th MEU participated in the pilot rescue.^[42]
  • The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit awaits the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, who left their home port of Naval Station Norfolk early to sail east around March 30th in order to relieve the 26th MEU in the Mediterranean Sea two months before the projected deployment date.^[31]

Coalition Forces Placed Under US Command

Coalition forces based and operating in the theater of operations are under command of the Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn.

• Belgian Armed Forces^[36]
  • Belgian Air Component
    • Six F-16AM 15MLU Falcon fighter jets operating from Araxos Air Base, Greece
• Danish Armed Forces^[43]
  • Royal Danish Air Force
    • Six F-16AM 15MLU Falcon fighter jets operating from Sigonella Air Base, Italy
    • One C-130J-30 military transport aircraft
• Netherlands Armed Forces
  • Royal Netherlands Air Force
    • Six F-16AM 15MLU Falcon fighter jets operating from Decimomannu Air Base, Italy
    • One KDC10 Tanker Aircraft
• Norwegian Armed Forces^[44][45]
  • Royal Norwegian Air Force
    • Six F-16AM 15MLU Falcon fighter jets operating from Souda Air Base, Crete^[46]
    • Two C-130J-30 military transport aircrafts supporting the Norwegian forces.
• Italian Armed Forces
  • Italian Air Force^[47]
    • Four Tornado ECR SEAD planes operating from Trapani Air Base
    • Four F-16A 15ADF Falcon fighter as escort operating from Trapani Air Base
    • Two Tornado IDS in the air-to-air refueling role operating from Trapani Air Base (supporting the Italian contribution, but not under direct US Command)
• : Qatar Armed Forces
  • Qatar Emiri Air Force ^[48]
    • Six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighters jets operating from Souda Air Base, Crete
    • One C-130J-30 military transport aircraft
• Spanish Armed Forces^[49]
  • Spanish Air Force
    • Four EF-18AM Hornet fighters jets operating from Decimomannu Air Base, Italy
    • One Boeing 707-331B(KC) tanker aircraft

Odyssey (long an adventurous journey) Dawn (beginning)

Operation Odyssey Dawn is the largest military intervention in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The No-Fly Zone imposed on Libya is Humanitarian Imperialism. It took less than 24 hours for the U.S. to show up and start showing it’s military might, with the U.K. and France right beside them.

It is already becoming clear that the motives behind the no-fly zone are not humanitarian or to protect the Libyan people, it is to get rid of Gaddafi, and further gain control of the Middle-East’s oil. The U.N. resolution is worded in a way that allows the possibility of foreign troops on the ground inside Libya, don’t be surprised if it happens.

Summary of Action

• Day 1: 19 March 2011

21h: The first main strike involved the launch of 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles from US and UK ships against shoreline air defenses of the Gaddafi regime.^{[54][55][10][56]} The U.S. Department of Defense reports that the dismantling of Libya’s ability to hinder the enforcement of the United Nations no-fly zone was only the first of multiple stages in the operation.^[57] USMC Harriers participated in an air strike against a large military convoy outside Benghazi.^[34]

• Day 2: 20 March 2011

Sustained anti-aircraft fire erupted in Tripoli at around 2:33 a.m. Libyan time.^[58] Three B-2 Spirit bombers targeted 45 hardened aircraft shelters at an Libyan airfield near Sirt.^[34] At the same time, US Air Force fighter jets conducted missions searching for Libyan ground forces to attack. US Navy EA-18G Growlers werer diverted from operations over Iraq and jammed Libyan radar and communications.^[59][60] No US aircraft were lost during the missions. ^[61] The warplanes included Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier IIs (attacking pro-Gaddafi’s ground forces),^[62] Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, and F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter jets.^[63] Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, states that there would be continuous allied air cover over Benghazi, and that the no-fly zone “is effectively in place”.^[64] An EC-130J was recorded warning Libyan shipping “If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed immediately” in Arabic, French and English.^[65]

• Day 3: 21 March 2011

All fixed SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa and SA-5 Gammon sites were taken out. Only SA-6 Gainful, hand held SA-7 Grail and SA-8 Gecko mobile SAMs are still a possible threat to aircraft.^[66] In the early hours of the day a building from Moammar Gadhafi’s compound in Tripoli was completely destroyed by a cruise missile. ^[67] Twelve more cruise missiles were fired at command and air defense sites.^[68]

• Day 4: 22 March 2011

At approximately 22:30 CET (evening of March 21), a US F-15E 91-0304 operating out of Aviano Air Base crashed about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Benghazi. Both crew members ejected at high altitude and were subsequently separated. A MV-22 Osprey, supported by two AV-8Bs, two CH-53E Super Stallions, and a KC-130J Hercules from the 26th MEU initially recovered the pilot,^[44] while the weapons officer was recovered later after being rescued by rebel forces in the area.^[69][44] Two Marine Harriers accompanying the rescue force dropped two 500lb bombs at the request of the ejected pilot, prior to the MV-22 landing in an attempt to deter an unidentified group of people heading towards the area.^[70][44] The UK had a “peripheral involvement” in the rescue of the US pilots.^{[71][72][73][74][71][75]}

Six local villagers, including a young boy, were reported to have been injured by gunfire from the rescuing U.S. forces, ^[76][77] Although a Marine spokesperson aboard USS Kearsarge denied that shots were fired: “The Osprey is not armed, and the Marines barely got off the aircraft. I was in the landing center the whole time, where we were monitoring what was going on, and firing was never reported”,^[70] Pentagon sources were later reported to have confirmed that shots were fired.^[78][44]

The source of the civilian casualties is still being investigated.^[70] Overnight, the US bombed the wreckage of the downed F-15E “to prevent materials from getting into the wrong hands.” ^[79]

In a 24-hours period; 175 air sorties were conducted (113 US, 62 coalition).^[80] Around this time, the US changed its target priorities from air defenses to Libyan ground forces.^[81]

• Day 6: 24 March 2011

Royal Norwegian Airforce F-16s were assigned to the US African command and Operation Odyssey Dawn. A number of Norwegian F-16s took off from the Souda Bay Air Base on the island of Crete, Greece for their first mission over Libya. ^{[82] [83]}

• Day 7 25 March 2011

Three laser guided bombs were launched from 2 F-16s of the Royal Norwegian Airforce against Libyan tanks. ^[84] F-16s from the Royal Norwegian Airforce bombed an airfield in Libya during the night.^[85] Coalition planes flew 164 sorties and coalition leaders reported damage to Gadhafi’s ground forces.^[86]

• Days 8 and 9 26 and 27 March 2011

Lockheed AC-130 gunships and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft began operations, attacking ground forces.^[87] These were the first aircraft used against troops; previous strikes had targeted command and anti-aircraft infrastructure.^[87]

Attack submarine USS Providence (SSN-719) completed all assigned strike missions and has left the area for previous duties. The US is responsible for 80% of air refueling, 75% of aerial surveillance hours and 100% of electronic warfare missions.^[88]

• Days 10 and 11 28 and 29 March 2011

On March 28, a USAF A-10 and a USN P-3 attack one Libyan Coast Guard vessel and two smaller craft. The P-3 fired AGM-65F Maverick missiles at a Vittoria-class patrol boat, forcing the crew to beach her. The A-10 strafed the other two smaller boats with its 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon rounds, sinking one and forcing the crew to abandon the other. The Libyan vessels were attacked after U.S forces observed them firing into Misurata and at merchant vessels. The USS Barry (DDG-52) provided situational awareness for the aircraft by managing the airspace and maintaining the maritime picture.^[91]

• Day 13 31 March 2011

From 06:00 GMT, NATO took sole command of air operations over Libya under Operation Unified Protector, taking over from U.S. Africa Command.^[92][93][94]

Related Links:

Gaddafi Says He Will Fight Back

Libya No-Fly Zone = Humanitarian Imperialism

No-Fly Zones: Considerations for Congress

U.S. Troops on the Ground in Libya

Libya No-Fly Zone = Humanitarian Imperialism

The U.N. Security Council has voted yes on a resolution to impose a no-fly zone in Libya, and said, “all necessary means can be used to protect citizens.”

The vote was 10-0, with 5 countries abstaining. The resolution was drawn up by Britain, France, and Lebanon, with strong input from the U.S. The countries abstaining being Russia, China, Brazil, India, and Germany.

What is most important about this vote, is that the U.N. has not only agreed on a no-fly zone in Libya, they have also agreed that all necessary means can be used to protect citizens.

According to RussiaToday, this includes the use of air strikes on Libyan tanks, and heavy artillery.

Agence France-Presse is reporting that as early as tonight, France, Britain, Qatar, and UAE could begin strikes on Gaddafi forces.

Constitutionalist Ron Paul responded to the U.N.’s decision today saying, “This is not our fight” … “This is simply none of our business” … “We don’t have the money for more military interventions overseas.”

He goes on to say, “It would constitute an act of war against Libya. The no fly-zone “will require troops to engage in combat against the Libyan Air Force, as well as anti-aircraft systems.”

He brings up an interesting point about the decision to use “all necessary means,” asking, “Does this mean a nuclear strike is on the table? Answering himself, “Apparently so.”

Ron Paul will be introducing a resolution in Congress this week, to ensure that Congress decides when or when not to go to war, according to the Constitution, NOT the President.

Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) has done an analysis of how much the Libya no-fly zone will cost, examining various scenarios.

Operation Odyssey Dawn aka Beginning of Long Adventurous Journey

Gaddafi Says He Will Fight Back

U.S. Troops on the Ground in Libya

Libya No-Fly Zone Will Result In Occupation

America has learned from the Tunisia and Egypt revolutions, and is making sure they take full advantage of the ongoing revolution in Libya. The MSM propaganda machine is working hard pushing for a no-fly zone, and at the same time the U.S. government is secretly making deals with Saudi Arabia to help arm Libyan rebel forces. And it’s not just America, Britain has also been caught trying to help the rebels, with news of SAS soldiers being detained after a midnight helicopter entrance into Libya. They have since been released.

This must be made clear, a no-fly zone would be considered an act of war, and would first require Libya’s air defense systems to be bombed/destroyed. Not only that, but look what has happened in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s called “Humanitarian Imperialism.” A no-fly zone, no matter if it’s carried out by the U.S., U.K, or U.N., will result in nothing but another occupation.

Rep. Ron Paul spoke in Congress today, and expressed his stance on a Libyan no-fly zone. He said:

“It is my opinion that we should not. It would be foolish, it would have a downside, and we should think very, very carefully, before we go expanding the wars that we are already involved in.”

“We have to remember, a no-fly zone is an act of war.”

“There’s no Constitutional authority for a President to willy-nilly go and start placing no-fly zones over countries around the world.

He mentions the no-fly zone and sanctions imposed on Iraq, and it ending up in a war based on lies, saying, “We went to war when we shouldn’t have gone to war.”

He goes on to say:

“To expand this war now makes no sense whatsoever. It’s against International Law, it challenges the War Powers Resolution, and for that reason we should stop and think. Congress should act. I am preparing to introduce a resolution next week, so that the Executive Branch can’t do this without approval from the Congress. Why should we do this?”

“This is the kind of thing that has been going on for too long, and contributes significantly to our bankruptcy.”

He finishes by saying:

“If we want to do something for humanity, we need a new foreign policy. A foreign policy that isn’t based on Militarism, it’s built on more co-operation and more trade, and not picking our dictators.”

Let’s hope Dr. Paul’s words don’t go unheard, and America heads his advice to not intervene in the Libyan revolution, because once the U.S. is in a country, they don’t like to leave.