US Ending Its Air Combat Role In Libya By Withdrawing Its Ground-Attack Aircraft

Pentagon To Withdraw Ground-Attack Aircraft, Leaving Allies To Handle Bulk Of Libya Sorties -- L.A. Times

But with Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's troops regaining the offensive against beleaguered rebels, questions have deepened as to whether NATO can handle the mission without U.S. firepower.

The Pentagon said it would soon withdraw jet fighters and ground-attack planes from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led air campaign in Libya, a move that U.S. lawmakers warned could make the airstrikes less effective in preventing Moammar Kadafi's forces from attacking opposition-held areas.

But the U.S. is keeping combat aircraft, including AC-130s and A-10 ground-attack planes, on standby in case the operation's Canadian commander, Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, requests U.S. help, said Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday. He said the U.S. was not ruling out sending American warplanes back over Libya if NATO proved unable to halt Kadafi's advancing forces.

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More News On The U.S. Ending Combat Air Operations Over Libya

U.S. ending Libya air assault at crucial time -- CBS News
US to pull out of Libya air attacks -- Press Association
US 'To Pull' Attack Aircraft From Libya -- SKY News
Gates says US ending its air combat role in Libya, leaving the heavy lifting to allies -- Canadian Press/AP
Libyan Rebels Seek Cease-Fire After U.S. Vows to Withdraw Jets -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S. Gunships Will Be ‘on Standby’ in NATO’s Libya War -- The Danger Room

My Comment: Talk about horrible timing .... with Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi now getting the upper hand ... the U.S. decides to (effectively) leave?!?!?!? This is very odd and very disturbing.