Marine FAST Force to Libya

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON - Some 50 U.S. Marines headed to Libya on Wednesday to reinforce security at U.S. diplomatic facilities in the aftermath of an attack in the eastern city of Benghazi that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, officials said.

The Marines are members of an elite group known as a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, or FAST, whose role is to respond on short notice to terrorism threats and to reinforce security at U.S. embassies. They operate worldwide. The contingent that was dispatched to Libya was based in Spain.

The officials who disclosed the plan to send the Marines spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The Marines were headed initially to the U.S. embassy in Tripoli, not to Benghazi.

Several officials said the U.S. military was making no other moves to deploy troops, ships or aircraft in response to Tuesday’s attack. A second Marine FAST element was standing by in Spain but had no orders to move, officials said.

U.S. embassies, particularly in major countries and in unstable or less secure nations, usually have a resident contingent of Marine security guards. Early indications were that there were not at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. A consulate is a branch office in major cities outside the capital. These guards work under the supervision of the senior diplomatic officer at an embassy.

The main role of Marine security guards is to protect classified national security documents, according to the website of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, which administers the security guard mission from a Marine base in Virginia. Their secondary role is to protect U.S. citizens and U.S. government property in the event of an emergency.

The Marines began their security guard mission in 1948. They are trained at the Marine Security Guard School.

In rare cases, the Marines send a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, or a portion of the team, to reinforce security at embassies. They were sent to Africa, for example, in response to the 1998 terrorist attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. A FAST group also provided security aboard a Navy hospital ship in New York following the 9/11 attacks.

DOD: U.S. continues support of NATO operations in Libya

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- A U.S. military fighter jet destroyed two of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's surface-to-air missile sites near the Libyan capital of Tripoli April 18, continuing U.S. support of NATO operations there, officials reported.

Since NATO took the lead of multilateral operations in Libya on April 1, U.S. military aircraft have flown more than 800 sorties in support of Operation Unified Protector.

More than 150 of those sorties have been "suppression of enemy air defense" missions, eight of which included ordnance drops, officials said.

The tempo of NATO operations in Libya remains high, alliance spokesman Oana Lungescu told reporters April 19, from NATO headquarters in Belgium. Allied aircraft have flown more than 2,800 missions, about half of which were airstrikes on Colonel Gadhafi's forces and facilities.

"We are keeping up the pressure on the Gadhafi regime forces to stop their brutal onslaught against civilians," Ms. Lungescu said. "It's a challenging task, but we are making significant progress in weakening Gadhafi's ability to use his military machine against his own people."

Brig. Gen. Mark van Uhm, of the Dutch army, and the chief of NATO's allied operations, said the situation on the ground in Libya remains fluid and dynamic.

The arms embargo and no-fly zone over Libya are proving to be effective, he said.

Over the past week, NATO aircraft have destroyed ammunition bunkers, tanks, radars and other Gadhafi military equipment, and will continue to launch attacks until Colonel Gadhafi yields his campaign, the general said.

"We are steadily degrading his command-and-control capabilities and his ability to sustain forces on the ground," he said. "We are maintaining a high operational tempo, and we adjust our operations on a daily basis against what is clearly a rapidly changing environment on the ground."

Offensive strike missions will continue until a clear signal comes through that civilians are not under threat, he added.

(Note: Airmen assigned to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing in Western Europe are also directly supporting Operation Unified Protector through air refueling missions, as well as airlift support.)

Libya Mission Latest Developments

U.S forces are shifting to a supporting role in the NATO coalition's Operation Unified Protector in Libya.

Libya Military Operation Name Changed

Now that NATO has control of the Libyan military operation as of March 25, the name has changed from Operation Odyssey Dawn to Operation Unified Protector. More about this operation at http://www.bruxelles2.eu/afrique/maghreb/les-moyens-de-loperation-embargo-sur-les-armes.html

US Navy P-3C, USAF A-10 and USS Barry Engage Libyan Vessels

Blog Editor Note: Some have asked with the PsyOps broadcasts on 10405.0 kHz by the coalition? Evidently the Libyan Navy is still a threat based on the story below.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft and guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52), engaged Libyan Coast Guard vessel Vittoria and two smaller craft March 28.

The vessels were engaged after confirmed reports that Vittoria and accompanying crafts were firing indiscriminately at merchant vessels in the port of Misrata, Libya.

The P-3C fired at Vittoria with AGM-65F Maverick missiles, rendering the 12-meter patrol vessel ineffective and forcing it to be beached after multiple explosions were observed in the vicinity of the port.

Two smaller Libyan craft were fired upon by the A-10 using its 30mm GAU-8/ Avenger cannon, destroying one and forcing the other to be abandoned.

Barry provided situational awareness for the aircraft by managing the airspace and maintaining the maritime picture.

The P-3C, A-10 and Barry are currently supporting operations for Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn.

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces.

Latest Coalition PSYOPS Transmission on 10405 kHz

This transmission was recorded this morning EST local here in North Carolina from a coalition Psyops aircraft located somewhere in the theater. The broadcast was in Arabic and English and directed towards members of the Libyan Navy.

Coalition PSYOPS Transmissions on 10405 kHz.

The coalition is again transmitting PsyOps messages to the Libyan military. This time on 10405.0 kHz.

Monitoring Operation Odyssey Dawn - Update #8

A U.S. Navy sailor guides an AV-8B Harrier jump jet to the deck of USS Kearsarge for fuel and ammunition resupply while conducting air strikes in support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn. The Harrier is assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Danielle M. Bacon

Here is our latest list of frequencies reported and those monitored from here on the Radio Ranch. Earlier information on the audio samples etc are down page in this post.

If you want to monitor shortwave broadcast from North Africa and the Middle East, we have the most complete and comprehensive listings of all language shortwave broadcast schedules available anywhere exclusively for our Monitoring Times magazine MTExpress subscribers online right now. Complete details on how to order our MTExpress - MTXtra schedules can be found on the Monitoring Times magazine or Grove Enterprises websites.

All frequencies are in kHz.

4196.0 Naval Military style CWC tracking net USB (American English accents). Sounds like a surface voice coordination net. Passing a track for a Russian AGI (3/21 @ 2150 UTC). Early on in Operation Odyssey Dawn that was used as a NATO AWACS tracking net USB: Callsign Magic ##/NATO ##
4235.0 UK Royal Air Force VOLMET USB Middile East Aerodromes
5725.0 UK Royal Navy CWC-style net USB.
6688.0 French Strategic Air Force Net - Commandement Des Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (CFAS) USB: Callsign Capitol/Cosaque ##
6712.0 French Air Force Commandement De La Force Aérienne De Projection (CFAP) USB: Callsign: Circus Verte
6733.0 RAF TASCOMM YL weather traffic to Solex 11 a Sentry AEW1 with TAF weather for LCRA RAF Akrotiri. QSYed to 9019.0 and 9031.0 kHz USB
6761.0 USAF Global refueling Operations USB
6877.0 USAF Psyop transmissions against Libyan Navy + jamming
9019.0 UK RAF TASCOMM USB TAF weather traffic +ALE/USB Real World Traffic
9031.0 UK RAF TASCOMM USB Operational Messages + TAF weather traffic
10315.0 DHN 66 NATO Geilenkirchen GER E-3 AWACS/Magic ## to DHN66 Link USB
12311.0 French Air Force Centre De Conduite Des Opérations Aériennes (CCOA) USB: Callsign Veilleur/AWACS callsign Cyrano.
16160.0 French Air Force up with voice and RATT on 16160 kHz USB. Probable Cyrano ops from AWACS. Thanks mco that is a new one in my db.

Libyan GMMRA HF ALE network was still active as of 3/21/2011 on 5368.0 6884.0 8200.0 9375.0 10125.0 10404.0. Look for the MOBILE## and HQ1 ALE Addresses.

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Media Coverage of Operation Odyssey Dawn

Good article on the bases being used for Operation Odyssey Dawn:
Allies prepare to enforce Libya no-fly zone

Fairchild tankers handle Libya refueling duties

Utah Guard crew, plane deployed to Libya

Limitations keep F-22 from use in Libya ops

========


Earlier information posted as part of this update blog post.

Well it has been a very busy 24 hours plus with all the action in and around Libya. So in this post I will try to summarize what was heard and reported.

I should point out that we had a real good hint that the USAF B-2 bombers were on a Global Power mission yesterday afternoon when we saw the Ethyl tankers on the AR track up in the Canadian maritimes. I can report as of this writing that the Ethyl tankers are up again this morning to get the B-2 boyz back home from their long flight overseas. According to the Pentagon they were the aircraft that bombed the Libyan military airfields. As this is being written, the flight of three is approaching their Ethyl tankers in the Can Maritimes using callsign Fury 23 flight. Heads up NEMilAir guys.

Now to the HF reported on UDXF. The biggest news was a psyops radio reported by our friend Ary Boender in the NL.

Ary reported the following around 0730 UTC:

"6877 kHz : Psychological operations, possibly EC-130J Commando Solo III. Asks Libyan naval officers not to board their ships in AA/EE/FF. Hard to read here in Holland but msg is clear."

There was an EC-130H Compass Call aircraft, callsign Sheen 53, that was in theater so given their mission to "disrupt enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management," that may have been who Ary and others monitored last night.

An EC-130J Commando Solo from 193SOS has finally popped up in the theater, callsign Steel 74, so let the psyops broadcast begin.

At some point Andrea B recorded jamming on the 6877.0 kHz transmissions and you can hear that at http://www.mediasuk.org/appoggio/jamming_6877.mp3. This is a must hear mp3. You can even hear the transmission form the aircraft telling the Libyan Navy sailors to not leave port, etc.

Nils DK8OK, has also posted an audio file from 6877.0 kHz. "6877 kHz, 20.3.11, 09:00 UTC, in SSB/USB with reduced carrier. Slightly jammed. Calling Libyan seamen to return to port and leave their ships in Arabic, English and French:
„Libyan sailors! Leave your ship immediately! Leave your ... and return to your family or your home. ... forces of violating at United National resolution ... the end of ... in your country. For your own safety: Leave your ship immediately! Do not attempt to jam [?] transmission." Click here for Nils DK8OK audio file.

There are several more audio files posted online and you can find those in messages posted to the UDXF group.

Stay tuned. More as we get or hear it.

Ships Were in Position for Odyssey Dawn, CNO Says

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- While Operation Odyssey Dawn brewed up quickly, the U.S. Navy already was positioned for operations over Libya, the chief of naval operations (CNO) said March 23.

CNO Adm. Gary Roughead told the Defense Writers Group that having Navy ships and submarines in the Mediterranean Sea enabled a quick response to the order that began Operation Odyssey Dawn.

"The need, for example in the opening rounds, for the Tomahawk strikes, the shooters were already in place," Roughead said. "They were already loaded, and that went off as we expected it would."

Roughead said he is pleased overall with the operation so far. The actions against Libya marked the first time the converted ballistic missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) was used in combat, and basing the coalition's joint task force aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) has provided flexibility, he added.

CNO also said he is pleased with the performance of the EA-18G Growler, the Navy's newest electronic warfare aircraft. The five-jet squadron had been flying missions over Iraq, but was quickly moved and began flying missions in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn just 47 hours after recovering from operations over Iraq.

He also praised the tactical recovery of two F-15E Strike Eagle Airmen who ejected over Libya when their jet had mechanical problems. The USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) launched a V-22 Osprey that got in quickly and made the recovery, he said.

"The way it came together, the synchronicity of operations, the involvement and coordination among the different participants [went] quite well," he added.

Roughead said the Navy can continue supporting operations as long as it takes.

"That's what you get when you have a global Navy that's forward all the time," he said. "We don't surge, and we don't ride to the sound of the guns. We're there, and when the guns go off, we're ready to conduct combat operations, or, as you see in Japan, ready to conduct some pretty extensive humanitarian operations."

In the run-up to the operations, the admiral told the group, the Joint Chiefs of Staff deliberated on the military actions that would be required. Roughead said he was particularly concerned about Moammar Gadhafi's integrated air and missile defense system. Though the system was old, he said, "I don't take any of that for granted. If someone is going to put a missile in the air, you don't say, 'Oh, it's an old one, I'll worry about it later.'"

Roughead said logistics was another concern, but the Navy's robust presence in the Mediterranean comes with re-supply ships afloat and depots ashore. The global supply chain has worked well, he said, adding that he anticipates no problem in keeping operations going.

From a funding standpoint, Roughead said operations are not especially costly.

"When you look at the expenses of what we in the Navy incurred, given the fact that we were already there, those costs are 'sunk' for me. I'm already paying for that," he said.

The service did incur additional flying hours, and the Tomahawks will be replaced from the existing inventory, Roughead said. More than 3,200 Tomahawks are in the inventory, and the missiles used in the operation represent "relatively minor increases in cost," he added.

US Air Force F-15E Incident in Libya; Crew Safe

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- Two crew members ejected from their U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction over Libya, March 21, at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET.

Both crew members ejected and are safe. The aircraft, based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was flying out of Aviano Air Base in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn at the time of the incident.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The identities will be released after the next of kin have been notified.

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gaddafi regime forces.

Who was transmitting on 6877.0 kHz discussion is still hanging around!

As I have stated publicly here and in other forums, the final analysis of exactly who was transmitting the taped looped warnings in English/French/Arabic on 6877.0 kHz USB early in the Libyan conflict is just impossible to do. There is just not enough concrete proof to indicate with complete confidence who transmitted those messages. One can make a case for various scenarios, but to continue to argue this on the various radio groups of who it actually was is an exercise in futility. Time to move on to bigger and better things.

Some thoughts on the Psyop transmissions on 6877.0 kHz

USAF EC-130H Compass Call aircraft (USAF Photo)

There has been a lot of chatter over the last 36-48 hours regarding Arabic language transmissions by a coalition asset on 6877.0 kHz.

Here is another report by Ary Boender posted to the Spooks newsgroup:

"6877 kHz : Psychological operations, probably from an EC-130J Commando Solo III. It asks Libyan naval officers not to board their ships in Arab, English and French. After a while the station was jammed. I heard the station on 20-3-2011 at ca. 0900 UTC with a fair signal but quite noisy."

Recordings are available from the UDXF/N&O websites
http://www.udxf.nl
Numbers and Oddities website or an alternate address at http://www.numbersoddities.nl/

Andrew Wiggin did a partial English transcript of the 6877 kHz transmission loop (which transmitted the same message in English, French and Arabic:

"Libyan ship or vessel: Remain anchored; do not leave port. The Khaddafi regime forces are violating a United Nations resolution ordering the end of hostilities in your country. If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed immediately. For your own safety do not leave port."

Most people have pointed to the EC-130J 193SOS Pysop bird callsign Steel 74 as a possible candidate for these broadcast. While that may be and has been widely reported as such, I am still not totally convinced that it is the 130J. While these transmissions wouldn't really be out of character for the types of transmissions that these aircraft have transmitted in the past, they are usually used for mostly AM/Fm/TV broadcast stuff.

These transmissions appear to be aimed at Libyan military forces on a non-broadcast frequency -- a known Libyan Navy frequency.

Another candidate aircraft for these transmissions that is in theater is the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft that has been using the callsign Sheen 53. According to the official US Air Force factsheet:

Mission -- The EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. The system disrupts enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management. The Compass Call system employs the offensive counterinformation and electronic attack or EA capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces . . . All Compass Call aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command. The EC-130H Compass Call is operated by the 55 Electronic Combat Group (41st, 42nd and 43d Electronic Combat Squadrons) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Another background source on this aircraft's mission statement reads: . . . disrupt enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management.

Well this certainly fits what has been heard by our European monitoring brethen.

And still another thought on all of this comes from Kim Elliott on his website at
http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=10926

"On 6877 kHz, the transmission could be from land-based transmitter in Europe, or from a ship in the Mediterranean, and still be heard in Libya. The Commando Solo aircraft may not be needed unless used for FM and television, which have shorter range. See also http://twitter.com/utilityworld by Hugh Stegman."

If you want more on all this Psyop stuff, I would recommend that you keep an eye on Gayle's Shortwave Central blog (http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/), her twitter feed at(http://twitter.com/QSLRptMT or the MT Shortwave Central fan page on Facebook for any late breaking news on Psyop broadcast from the Commando Solo aircraft -- Steel 74 -- in the Libyan NFZ theater.

USAF EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft (USAF Photo)

UK Forces in the Operation Odessey Dawn Fight

From the UK Guardian Blog:

1.26am: A statement from Defence Secretary Liam Fox has more details of the British military forces involved:

We have launched Tomahawk land attack missiles from a Trafalgar Class submarine and Storm Shadow missiles from Tornado GR4s. The fast jets flew 3,000 miles from RAF Marham and back, making this the longest range bombing mission conducted by the RAF since the Falklands conflict. This operation was supported by VC10 and Tristar air-to-air refuelling aircraft as well as E3D Sentry and Sentinel surveillance aircraft.

HMS Westminster is off the coast of Libya and HMS Cumberland is in the region ready to support operations. Typhoon aircraft are also standing by to provide support.

Our capable and adaptable armed forces are once again displaying their courage and professionalism. This action has provided a strong signal - the international community will not stand by while the Libyan people suffer under the Gaddafi regime.

1.17am: The UK military has officially confirmed that Royal Air Force planes also took part on the attack on Gaddafi's forces, with flights by GR4 Tornados firing Storm Shadow missiles – a European version of the cruise missile – at targets in Libya:

A statement from the Chief of Defence Staff's strategic communications officer Major General John Lorimer:

British armed forces, as authorised by the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, have participated in a co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems.

In addition to the Tomahawk land attack missiles (TLAM) launched from a Trafalgar Class submarine, I can now confirm that the RAF has also launched Storm Shadow missiles from a number of Tornado GR4 fast jets, which flew direct from RAF Marham as part of a co-ordinated coalition plan to enforce the resolution.

U.S. Navy launches Tomahawks as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn

Hey, Moamar Gaddafi! We see you and you will see more of us later tonight or tomorrow morning. This is just the first wave.

I won't forget my last encounter with your insanity in the 1970s when you claimed 100 mile airspace. You just thought you were the bull of the woods with those new French Mirage fighters, huh! Those surface to air missile at the end of our fire control radar beams sure taught your pilots a thing or two. Even had enough time after GQ for popcorn and a movie. Those of us on the Josephus Daniels CG-27 sure taught you a lesson or two. But I guess old habits die hard and you need a refresher course. So more to follow . . . see you soon. The US Navy and El Jefe sends.

Coalition Takes Aim at Libyan Air Defenses

Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, briefs reporters at the Pentagon on the launch of Operation Odyssey Dawn, a coalition effort to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya and protect the Libyan people from Moammar Gadhafi's regime, March 19, 2011. (DOD photo by Cherie Cullen)

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - Coalition members fired 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libya's integrated air and missile defense system today as a precursor to setting up a no-fly zone over the country, Pentagon officials said.

In Brazil, where he is on the first leg of a three-nation trip to South America, President Barack Obama said no U.S. ground troops will deploy to Libya, but that the United States would provide "unique assets" to enforce the United Nations Security Council resolution meant to protect the Libyan people from the forces of Moammar Gadhafi.

Navy Vice Adm. Wlliam E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, briefed reporters at the Pentagon on the launch of "Operation Odyssey Daw."

"The goals of these initial operations are essentially twofold: first, to prevent further attacks by regime forces on Libyan citizens and opposition groups, especially around Benghazi, and second, to degrade the regime's capability to resist the no-fly zone we are implementing under that United Nations resolution," Gortney said shortly after the attacks were launched.

Most of the targets were on or near the coast and around the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Gortney said. The coalition carefully picked the targets, he added, which either threatened coalition pilots or through use by the regime, posed a direct threat to the Libyan people of Libya.

"I want to stress that this is just the first phase of what will likely be a multiphase military operation designed to enforce the United Nations resolution," the admiral said.

The international community gave Gadhafi the opportunity to yesterday to pursue an immediate cease-fire, Obama noted. "But despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity," he said. "His attacks on his own people have continued. His forces have been on the move. And the danger faced by the people of Libya has grown."

Obama stressed that the United States is one nation involved in a multinational operation.

For now, Gortney told reporters, Operation Odyssey Dawn is under the command of Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III is the commander of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney. Locklear commands U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa, as well as NATO Allied Joint Forces Command.

"We anticipate the eventual transition of leadership to a coalition commander in the coming days," Gortney said. Still, even with the transition, the U.S. military will continue to provide support, communications and logistics to coalition forces.

"Our mission now is to shape the battle space in such a way that our partners can take the lead in execution," he said.

Forces will assess the results of the strikes in the coming hours, and that will shape operations for the future, Gortney said. This will take some time, he added, with Global Hawk unmanned aerial aircraft and national technical means providing the information needed.

Coalition Launches 'Odyssey Dawn' to Implement No-fly Zone

Cruise missile launch from the USS Barry enroute to the Libyan coastline. (Courtesy of the US Navy)

Blog Editor Note: US Navy has launched 112 cruise missiles against 25 Liyban air defense targets, mostly on or near the coast: Pentagon press briefing. More information on our MilcomMP twitter feed.

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces launched "Operation Odyssey Dawn" today to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect the Libyan people from the country's ruler.

The goal of the military coalition is to prevent further attacks by regime forces on Libyan citizens, officials said, adding that the coalition also wants to degrade the ability of Moammar Gadhafi's regime to resist a no-fly zone being implemented.

U.S. military forces are on the leading edge of the coalition operation, taking out Libya's integrated air and missile defense system, Defense Department officials said. The ordnance is aimed at radars and anti-aircraft sites around the capital of Tripoli and other facilities along the Mediterranean coast.

Operation Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney. The Mount Whitney joins 24 other ships from Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom and France in launching the operation.

Cruise missiles from U.S. submarines and frigates began the attack on the anti-aircraft system. A senior defense official speaking on background said the attacks will "open up the environment so we could enforce the no-fly zone from east to west throughout Libya."

In addition to the cruise missiles, the United States will provide command and control and logistics. American airmen and sailors also will launch electronic attacks against the systems.

The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada already have announced that they are part of the coalition. Officials expect Arab countries will publicly announce their participation soon.

Pentagon Official Discusses Libya No-Fly Zone

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - Amid reports from Libya that indicate Moammar Gadhafi's troops are gaining the upper hand over the opposition, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell spoke during an MSNBC interview today about the situation in Libya and possible responses.

Morrell, who has just returned from accompanying Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to NATO for discussions on the situation in North Africa, said NATO defense ministers agreed "to continue planning for any and all military options, including a no-fly zone."

What happens with the no-fly zone will depend on a political decision that has not been made yet, Morrell said.

"However, as we saw over the weekend, now the Arab League is calling for it," he added. "So that will undoubtedly factor into the decision-making of the president and other European leaders as they go forward."

Three American ships remain off the Libyan coast: the USS Kearsarge, the USS Ponce and the USS Barry. Other NATO nations also have positioned ships in the Mediterranean.

"But remember," Morrell said, "this is to monitor the arms embargo that the U.N. put in place, as well as to provide humanitarian assistance if needed."

If the decision is made to establish a no-fly zone, the U.S. military can make it work, Morrell said.

"I don't think this has ever been a question of can we do this," he said. "I mean, this is the United States military. Even though we have significant commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world, Secretary Gates has made it abundantly clear we can do this."

NATO allies would help, Morrell noted. "It's important that we not do it alone," he said. "But this is not a question of 'can.' It's a question of whether we should. And that's a decision that the president will make at some point."

Meanwhile, two more U.S. military flights flew Egyptian civilians home from Tunisia over the weekend, Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said today.

A March 12 flight out of Djerba airlifted 60 Egyptians back to Cairo, and a flight yesterday had 79 passengers. The Egyptians escaped fighting inside Libya and were stranded in Tunisia.

To date, 13 such flights have airlifted 982 passengers, Lapan said. The C-130 flights began March 5, and there are none scheduled today, he added.

Ramstein Units Partner to Help Evacuees From Libyan Conflict

By U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Fisher, Special to American Forces Press Service

NAVAL AIR STATION SOUDA BAY, Crete, March 6, 2011 - Several Ramstein Air Base units have been key to providing airlift support for the humanitarian crisis on Libya's borders since U.S. President Barack Obama provisioned military support, March 3, 2011.

The 37th Airlift and Air Mobility Squadrons, working in concert with 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) for U.S. Africa Command, are providing this capability. While 37th crews are flying humanitarian relief missions, members of Ramstein's 435th Contingency Response Group are facilitating the missions, providing everything from communications and command and control to force protection.

As the air component for AFRICOM, 17th Air Force is orchestrating the missions through its planning staff and 617th Air and Space Operations Center, collocated with its Ramstein Headquarters.

After more than two years under AFRICOM, 17th is well-versed in cooperative efforts between Departments of Defense and State. So when a humanitarian crisis followed political upheaval in North Africa, 17th Air Force was ready to assist the State Department-led relief effort, according to Air Force Major General Margaret Woodward, 17th AF commander.

"We were able to quickly answer the call and play our part by orchestrating airlift to ease suffering among the Libyan people and third country nationals who have crossed the borders seeking relief from the conflict there," Woodward said. "Operating in Africa has given us many chances to work and become familiar with supporting our partners in the State Department. We're happy to be able to contribute, and we hope, along with the efforts of many other countries, we'll be able to improve the situation for people in need as a result of this conflict."

Air Force Lt. Col. Charles "Doc" Schlegel said the 17th effectively brought the units together to execute the humanitarian missions.

"The 17th coordinated the effort and made it possible for aid to be quickly delivered to people who are in need, and for us to move evacuees," Schlegel said. "We have been working together to adapt to an evolving situation and provide assistance in support of the overall U.S. government response. So far, it's a great example of Team Ramstein working together."

Schlegel's team began flying humanitarian relief mission March 4, 2011, and has delivered relief supplies to Tunisia for USAID and shuttled more than 300 displaced Egyptian citizens to Cairo.

The team's ability to adapt has been key to their contribution on what Air Force Captain Jason Powell called deemed "an international scale."

"We started March 3, we partnered our capabilities with the 17th to support the State Department and things are going fairly smoothly," said the Captain, the director of operations for the 435th's Contingency Response Element. "Things are always changing, but it's a testament to our flexibility that we continue to make progress on this mission. We are really stoked, to go in and make a difference for people that are suffering."

(U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Fisher is assigned to 17th Air Force Public Affairs)

Navy Gator Freighters Ordered to the Mediterranean

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered USS Kearsarge and USS Ponce to the Mediterranean Sea.

U.S. Marines, Ships Heading to Mediterranean

Breaking News: Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. is sending hundreds of Marines, 2 amphibious ships to help with Libya evacuation and humanitarian relief.