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SBS on stand by...

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  • 24-02-2011 10:21am
    #1
    elius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭


    Just seen it on sky news the sbs are on stand buy to rescue stranded Britons in Libya.. Wonder how true it is?


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    #2
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    elius wrote: »
    Just seen it on sky news the sbs are on stand buy to rescue stranded Britons in Libya.. Wonder how true it is?

    Radio four mentioned the SAS and the para special forces support group. HMS Cumberland is awaiting permission to dock and HMS York is en route.

    I would imagine this is pretty normal and other countries have done the same. Reports this morning suggest Tripoli airport is descending into chaos so the UNSC may look to put a force in to secure it.

    There was a Professor from Dublin interviewed on BBC radio four who had made it to Gatwick. Her accounts were pretty scary.


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    #3
    who the fug
    Registered Users Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Am I the only one who turn off the news at the mention of SBS / SAS as you know what follows is bollicks


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    #4
    elius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elius


    who the fug wrote: »
    Am I the only one who turn off the news at the mention of SBS / SAS as you know what follows is bollicks

    Most time's i would agree but given the political uncertain i wouldn't be so shore. The Middle east is awfully un-staple at the mo.


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    #5
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    who the fug wrote: »
    Am I the only one who turn off the news at the mention of SBS / SAS as you know what follows is bollicks

    Extracting British citizens from situations like this, at short notice, is a fundamental role for both, so I doubt very much that it is crap.

    There is also the added factor of sending a clear message that the UK isnt sitting on its hands.


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    #6
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    who the fug wrote: »
    Am I the only one who turn off the news at the mention of SBS / SAS as you know what follows is bollicks

    I wouldn't be surprised at all, what's going on there is a lot more serious than what's being reported here. As said, there's no group better prepared for a rapid extraction at the BA's disposal than the SAS / SBS.


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    #7
    BrianD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,221 ✭✭✭BrianD


    The SBS/SAS are probably best placed to extract people from the remote areas of Libya. These areas will probably have an airstrip of some sort but ground security may be uncertain.

    You send in your SAS helicopter and the troops can provide local security for the extraction in the event it's needed. It just so happens that the SAS are best trained to this.

    I doubt of the Brits want to send a message to anybody. They are just extracting their nationals. I trust they'll send them or their employers a bill for services rendered.


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    #8
    PatsytheNazi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭PatsytheNazi


    who the fug wrote: »
    Am I the only one who turn off the news at the mention of SBS / SAS as you know what follows is bollicks
    My own thoughts, Bravo Two Zero fiasco in the making.
    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    Extracting British citizens from situations like this, at short notice, is a fundamental role for both, so I doubt very much that it is crap.

    There is also the added factor of sending a clear message that the UK isnt sitting on its hands.
    I think they would make the situation vastly worse for the British citizen's there. Britain because of Iraq and it's history in the middle east etc, Britain is not too populiar over there at the best of times. I could see an awful bloodbath of British civilians or anyone else in the vicinity, if the trigger happy supporters of Gidaffi go at it with the trigger happy SBS and Parachute regiment etc


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    #9
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    PatsytheNazi wrote: »
    My own thoughts, Bravo Two Zero fiasco in the making.


    I think they would make the situation vastly worse for the British citizen's there. Britain because of Iraq and it's history in the middle east etc, Britain is not too populiar over there at the best of times. I could see an awful bloodbath of British civilians or anyone else in the vicinity, if the trigger happy supporters of Gidaffi go at it with the trigger happy SBS and Parachute regiment etc

    The way Gaddafi is acting right if he hears the SAS / SBS / Para 1 (SFSG) are on the way in,I wouldn't be surprised if he'll take that very seriously and considering he basically sees a lot of his soldiers of "expendable" I wouldn't rule out a full scale shootout. Thing is though, in a firefight between some standard Libyan soldiers and a group of special forces there's only going to be one winner unless the Brits are drastically out numbered.


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    #10
    danbohan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,914 ✭✭✭danbohan


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    Extracting British citizens from situations like this, at short notice, is a fundamental role for both, so I doubt very much that it is crap.

    There is also the added factor of sending a clear message that the UK isnt sitting on its hands.

    wonder if they are sending in the carriers , ogh i forgot they dont have any , better ask the Indians


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    #11
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    RMD wrote: »
    The way Gaddafi is acting right if he hears the SAS / SBS / Para 1 (SFSG) are on the way in,I wouldn't be surprised if he'll take that very seriously and considering he basically sees a lot of his soldiers of "expendable" I wouldn't rule out a full scale shootout. Thing is though, in a firefight between some standard Libyan soldiers and a group of special forces there's only going to be one winner unless the Brits are drastically out numbered.

    From what I heard this morning, the big concern seems to be the desert compounds where a lot of Brits are working for oil companies. I would imagine the sas would be used to secure these rather than a full scale punch up in Tripoli.

    I would guess Tripoli airport would be a much bigger international thing. But I would agree, this could get messy.


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    #12
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    danbohan wrote: »
    wonder if they are sending in the carriers , ogh i forgot they dont have any , better ask the Indians

    You're a bit late Dan, its already been done

    But yeah, it does call that decision into question. Still, I guess if air cover was needed, it won't take ling to get a few typhoons to Akrotiri or Malta.


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    #13
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    From what I heard this morning, the big concern seems to be the desert compounds where a lot of Brits are working for oil companies. I would imagine the sas would be used to secure these rather than a full scale punch up in Tripoli.

    I would guess Tripoli airport would be a much bigger international thing. But I would agree, this could get messy.

    Ye I saw that, there was a group of British oil workers trapped in the desert countryside, the army barracks beside them had been bombed and looters with machetes had already tried to break into their compound. Problem is, I don't see how the SAS can get them without it escalating into full scale war, I doubt Gaddafi would be to keen on British special forces going through the country considering his history of supporting the PIRA. Anyone know if HMS Cumberland / York has helicopter launch capabilities, the only way I can see them rescuing those trapped in the compounds is a heli extraction.


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    #14
    PatsytheNazi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭PatsytheNazi


    RMD wrote: »
    Ye I saw that, there was a group of British oil workers trapped in the desert countryside, the army barracks beside them had been bombed and looters with machetes had already tried to break into their compound. Problem is, I don't see how the SAS can get them without it escalating into full scale war, I doubt Gaddafi would be to keen on British special forces going through the country considering his history of supporting the PIRA. Anyone know if HMS Cumberland / York has helicopter launch capabilities, the only way I can see them rescuing those trapped in the compounds is a heli extraction.
    I agree with you, unless the British civilians are in some very empty area near the Eygptian border or something, he or his cronyies are not going to take kindly to what they would see as a " British invasion".

    Anyway, Britain and Gaddafi have been military friends for a while now. Sky News had a discussion that much of the military hardware been used by his forces/supporters were sold to him by you know who ;)
    Britain to help rebuild Gaddafi's military

    http://news.scotsman.com/world/Britain-to-help-rebuild-Gaddafis.2514427.jp


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    #15
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    RMD wrote: »
    Ye I saw that, there was a group of British oil workers trapped in the desert countryside, the army barracks beside them had been bombed and looters with machetes had already tried to break into their compound. Problem is, I don't see how the SAS can get them without it escalating into full scale war, I doubt Gaddafi would be to keen on British special forces going through the country considering his history of supporting the PIRA. Anyone know if HMS Cumberland / York has helicopter launch capabilities, the only way I can see them rescuing those trapped in the compounds is a heli extraction.

    I would guess they both carry a lynx helicopter.


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    #16
    who the fug
    Registered Users Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    I would guess they both carry a lynx helicopter.

    According to Wiki x 2 per vessel


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    #17
    LondonIrish90
    Closed Accounts Posts: 882 ✭✭✭LondonIrish90


    danbohan wrote: »
    wonder if they are sending in the carriers , ogh i forgot they dont have any , better ask the Indians

    Not really a problem in this situation. If it became that serious, then no European military power would hesitate to let British Typhoons use their air bases. After all, who would want to have an aggressive and unpredictable military just across the mediterranean should they become hostile to us?


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    #18
    who the fug
    Registered Users Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    LondonIrish90 wrote: »
    Not really a problem in this situation. If it became that serious, then no European military power would hesitate to let British Typhoons use their air bases. After all, who would want to have an aggressive and unpredictable military just across the mediterranean should they become hostile to us?

    Off the Top of my head

    France Spain Italy , and any number of countries who reckon they could steal arms contracts off the UK


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    #19
    LondonIrish90
    Closed Accounts Posts: 882 ✭✭✭LondonIrish90


    who the fug wrote: »
    Off the Top of my head

    France Spain Italy , and any number of countries who reckon they could steal arms contracts off the UK

    No, not with Gaddafi in charge. Its even more in their interests to remove him should his forces threaten warfare on a larger, possibly regional scare due to the unpredictable nature of the man and their proximity to his country.


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    #20
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    who the fug wrote: »
    Off the Top of my head

    France Spain Italy , and any number of countries who reckon they could steal arms contracts off the UK

    No country in their right mind would want to arm Gaddafi if he started acting as an aggressor towards Europe.


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    #21
    Savage93
    Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭Savage93


    elius wrote: »
    Just seen it on sky news the sbs are on stand buy to rescue stranded Britons in Libya.. Wonder how true it is?

    Are they going to rescue all British citizens or just the SAS boys who are over there training Gadaffi's people since just after the Lockerbie bomber was released????????:D:D:D


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    #22
    Steyr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,266 ✭✭✭Steyr


    PatsytheNazi wrote: »
    were sold to him by you know who ;)

    What equipment does he have thats of UK Origins??


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    #23
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Steyr wrote: »
    What equipment does he have thats of UK Origins??

    His Bentley?


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    #24
    who the fug
    Registered Users Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    Fratton Fred wrote: »
    His Bentley?

    Is it a proper Bentley or a rebadged Volkswagen


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    #25
    BlaasForRafa
    Registered Users Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭BlaasForRafa


    PatsytheNazi wrote: »
    I agree with you, unless the British civilians are in some very empty area near the Eygptian border or something, he or his cronyies are not going to take kindly to what they would see as a " British invasion".

    Anyway, Britain and Gaddafi have been military friends for a while now. Sky News had a discussion that much of the military hardware been used by his forces/supporters were sold to him by you know who ;)
    Britain to help rebuild Gaddafi's military

    http://news.scotsman.com/world/Britain-to-help-rebuild-Gaddafis.2514427.jp

    If you've got any ACTUAL proof that britain supplied arms to Libya then please supply it, otherwise all you have is idle speculation. From what I've seen of the Libyan forces its been mostly Soviet/Chinese equipment thats been used.


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    #26
    elius
    Registered Users Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elius


    Savage93 wrote: »
    Are they going to rescue all British citizens or just the SAS boys who are over there training Gadaffi's people since just after the Lockerbie bomber was released????????:D:D:D


    Source?


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    #27
    Fratton Fred
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    who the fug wrote: »
    Is it a proper Bentley or a rebadged Volkswagen

    Whatever it is, I'm sure its better than my Rolls Canardly.:)


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    #28
    PatsytheNazi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭PatsytheNazi


    Steyr wrote: »
    What equipment does he have thats of UK Origins??
    BlaasForRafa wrote: »
    If you've got any ACTUAL proof that britain supplied arms to Libya then please supply it, otherwise all you have is idle speculation. From what I've seen of the Libyan forces its been mostly Soviet/Chinese equipment thats been used.
    :rolleyes: ' Yawn '.......As per the link supplied -

    • Blair to offer Libya military aid in return for declaring WMDs
    • Deal may include training Libyan cadets and MOD expert advice
    • Offer puts UK firms in pole position to sell arms to Libya


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    #29
    PatsytheNazi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭PatsytheNazi


    elius wrote: »
    Source?
    SAS trains Libyan troops - The SAS has been ordered by the Government to train Libyan special forces
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/6176808/SAS-trains-Libyan-troops.html


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    #30
    Ping Chow Chi
    Registered Users Posts: 3,779 ✭✭✭Ping Chow Chi


    To be fair, offering military training in exchange for them to giving up their WMD program is a bit of a bargin.


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    #31
    RMD
    Registered Users Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭RMD


    PatsytheNazi wrote: »
    :rolleyes: ' Yawn '.......As per the link supplied -

    • Blair to offer Libya military aid in return for declaring WMDs
    • Deal may include training Libyan cadets and MOD expert advice
    • Offer puts UK firms in pole position to sell arms to Libya

    The link you supplied though any stated what will happen if the deal is agreed, it doesn't state that it did happen. When I looked for a source of the Brits arming Libyan forces I couldn't find anything, the only European equipment I could find which the Libyans had was a couple of Belgium small arms and 2 French missile systems, one AT and one AA. The rest of the equipment was all of Russian and Brazilian origin, except for a 105mm American Howitzer.


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