Graham assesses command structure in Libya NATO mission. Washington (CNN)– As the NATO mission in Libya progressively moves forward, Sen. Lindsey Graham posed the pivotal question of the day, "Can American forces fly under the NATO banner, or has President Obama taken that off the table? " Under the current situation, at some point U.S. unit commanders would be reporting to NATO leaders who would not necessarily include high-ranking American officers. However, individual American servicemembers like pilots, Marines and soldiers would get orders from their own American unit commanders. In an interview that aired Wednesday on CNN's "The Situation Room," the South Carolina Republican told Wolf Blitzer he would support the decision to transfer the mission to full-on NATO control but not an action to eliminate American-flown missions and weaponry from the NATO force configuration, voicing concern that such measures would undermine the capability of the NATO mission.
"Eliminating U.S. weaponry, grounding U.S. gunships and not allowing U.S. 2011 military intervention in Libya. From the beginning of the intervention, the initial coalition of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Qatar, Spain, UK and US[25][26][27][28][29] expanded to nineteen states, with newer states mostly enforcing the no-fly zone and naval blockade or providing military logistical assistance.
The effort was initially largely led by France and the United Kingdom, with command shared with the United States. NATO took control of the arms embargo on 23 March, named Operation Unified Protector. An attempt to unify the military command of the air campaign (whilst keeping political and strategic control with a small group), first failed over objections by the French, German, and Turkish governments.[30][31] On 24 March, NATO agreed to take control of the no-fly zone, while command of targeting ground units remains with coalition forces.[32][33][34] The handover occurred on 31 March 2011 at 06:00 UTC (08:00 local time).
Proposal for the no-fly zone[edit] Chronology[edit] [edit] Gates Outlines US Role as NATO Takes Libya Mission | Defense & Security News at DefenseTalk. As NATO assumed command of coalition operations in Libya this morning, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the House Armed Services Committee that U.S. forces will “significantly ramp down” their commitment in the operation. Gates said U.S. efforts in Libya will provide the capabilities other nations don’t have in kind and scale. During the first phase of Operation Odyssey Dawn, U.S. forces provided the bulk of military assets and firepower, logistical support and overall command and control, Gates told the lawmakers. The U.S. focus as the operation continues will be electronic attack, aerial refueling, lift, search and rescue, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, he said.
“There will be no American boots on the ground in Libya,” the secretary added. Gates stressed that coalition military operations in Libya are not aimed at ending the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. Related Topic Tags Defense, gates, Libya, NATO Related Defense, Military & Aerospace Forum Discussions. US Announces ‘Support Role’ as NATO Leads Libyan War. The Obama Administration is insisting today that it is moving toward a ‘support role’ in the Libyan War, not long after NATO assumed formal command of the conflict. The pledge comes as Congressmen are expressing increasing disquiet about the war.
Officials say they are moving warships and warplanes to “standby” mode, and will soon pull the Tomahawk missiles entirely out of the conflict. The standdown will take effect as of Sunday. The idea appears to be leaving the French and British carrying much of the combat load, and to try to put as much public distance as possible between the NATO-led, nominally UN mandated war and the US. Which of course, ignores that US dominance of both NATO and the UN Security Council. Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz.