These attacks are from American surface and submarine naval forces, so far, including three nuclear subs in the Mediterranean Sea. One of those mentioned is the U.S.S. Florida, which although the TV news report didn't say so, is one of our big ex-boomers that carries approximately a s-load of Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles (well, 154 to be precise). I assume airborne electronic warfare stuff, at least, is involved.
That's gonna leave a mark.
UPDATE: First news report and a partial overview of Western assets nearby. It only mentions one American SSN, for example, so I don't assume it is complete.
UPDATE: Per a Pentagon briefing right nowe, the British participated in the 112-cruise missile attack on 20+ air defense targets, and this would appear to be the first combat mission of AFRICOM, which will lead during this phase. I don't know who takes over after that.
UPDATE: Apparently we didn't use airborne electronic counter-measures in support of the missile strikes. Even though the missiles wouldn't need them to penetrate, I assumed we'd need some sort of missions to confuse their command and control anyway. I guess not. Again, per briefing ongoing.
UPDATE: This is Operation Odyssey Dawn:
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.
Ef-em up, guys.
UPDATE: Here's the transcript of the briefing I cited. There are slides, too.
