Air Force and Navy flying thousands of missions over Libya as Obama sa...

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U.S. forces STILL flying hundreds of bombing raids over Libya as Obama says America is only playing a limited role
Last updated at 6:29 AM on 2nd July 2011
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U.S. forces are still flying hundreds of bombing raids over Libya even though the Obama administration claims that American armed forces are only playing a limited role in the conflict. Since NATOs Operation Unified Protector took over from the American-led Operation Odyssey Dawn on 31 March, the U.S. has flown hundreds of strike missions, according to United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The White House originally claimed that U.S. planes were mostly providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and played down the number of bombing raids. However AFRICOM spokeswoman Nicole Dalrymple said: 'U.S. aircraft continue to fly support missions, as well as strike sorties under NATO tasking.

Political battle: The Libya conflict has been called unconstitutional as the U.S. continues to complete hundreds of strike missions

'Since 31 March, the U.S. has flown a total of 3,475 sorties...Of those, 801 were strike sorties, 132 of which actually dropped ordnance.'

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A White House report on the Libya conflict sent to Congress on 15 June says that 'American strikes are limited to the suppression of enemy air defense and occasional strikes by unmanned Predator UAVs against a specific set of targets.' The report also said the U.S. provides an 'alert strike package.' The U.S. has mainly been deploying the Air Forces F-16CJ and Navys EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircrafts in Libya, according to Ms Dalrymple. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula told the Air Force Times that it was not surprising that the U.S. is conducting strike missions. He said: 'Its no surprise to me that weve been participating, because were a member of NATO.' The news comes as a debate rages in Washington over the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which calls for the president to ask Congress for permission to deploy American forces into combat for a period longer than 60 days.

Under fire: The Obama administration has been criticised for the use of U.S. forces in Libya

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Dunlap, now associate director of the Center on Law, Ethics and National Security said: 'Its not necessarily a violation of the War Powers Resolution. 'It does raise questions about the scope and intensity of our participation versus how its been represented.' However Robert Turner, co-founder of the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia said: 'Legally, this is his discretion, but he is in clear violation of the statute. 'The reason hes not bound by that is because the statute is clearly unconstitutional.' The Obama administration has said that the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the Libya operation because the U.S. role is limited.
Places: Washington, Libya, America Organisations: White House

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Comments (5)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all I am getting sick and tired of Obama's lies. He and mainstream media is fomenting this attack on Libya all for political gain -- and he is using our young folks in the military and our tax dollars to do this heart wrenching deed. - Steve, Nashville USA, 02/7/2011 15:18 Click to rate Report abuse Flying combat missions over Libya when Obama says our role is support only. Hope Congress takes him to task for lying to them and the American people. - brigade74, clark, USA, 02/7/2011 15:04 Click to rate Report abuse Just another American war monger. - astralweeks, USA, 02/7/2011 14:52 Click to rate Report abuse If Obama says "limited", then it must be true. For he can do no wrong. Don't listen to the vast right-wing conspiracy which promotes war, violence, guns, hatred, racism and everything icky. OK??? (sarcasm) - Yankee Skeptic, Beacon Hill USA, 02/7/2011 14:45 Click to rate Report abuse As soon as some one figures out just what we are doing in Libya, I hope they let us know... - Alan Whitney, Prescott, AZ, 02/7/2011 14:44 Click to rate Report abuse The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Today's headlines Most Read H.R.H. THE PRINCE MINISTER: Charles accused of meddling after he summons seven senior Ministers to Clarence House in just ten months Murdered bride Anni Dewani wanted to call off wedding, cousin told police Huhne sons mobile phone is seized in 7am police raid on wife's home The secret girlfriend of Hacker Ryan Cleary: 'We can't be unfaithful because we literally don't know anyone else' US tells Libya rebels: Capture the Lockerbie bomber for us Sir David Frost was paid 57,000 by shadowy management consultancy to boost Gaddafi's image So, Miss Fancy Pants - whats the correct way to wear bloomers outside your trousers? Rating (0) Rating 1 Rating 1 Rating 2 Rating 1

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