Developing: U.S. Launches Missiles into Libya

This just came across the wire.  I’ll update this in a few.

UPDATE #1:  From CNN:

[3:55 p.m. ET, 10:55 p.m. in Libya] The U.S. military has launched its first missiles in Libya against Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, a senior Defense Department official said Saturday.

Phase one will be to degrade air defenses, CNN’s Chris Lawrence reports, citing the official. Most of the first strikes will be concentrated around Tripoli and Misrata, specifically to take out his air defenses. Ground forces will be targeted as well because they carry capability to shoot down planes, the official said.

UPDATE #2:  From ABC News:

U.S. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles Hit Targets in Libya
U.S., Allies Begin Action to Enforce U.N. Resolution Against Moammar Gadhafi

By DEVIN DWYER and LUIS MARTINEZ
March 19, 2011

U.S. military officials have confirmed the first American tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired at targets inside Libya from ships in the Mediterranean Sea.

The move is the first direct U.S. involvement in the international operation mobilizing to stop Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s attacks on opposition strongholds and enforce a U.N.-backed no-fly zone.

Pentagon officials said there were 11 U.S. ships stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, including three submarines and two destroyers capable of firing cruise missiles, and several amphibious ships and supply ships.

The first strikes in what is being called “Operation Odyssey Dawn” were expected to target air defense missile sites around Tripoli, Misratah, and Surt, but no areas east of that or near Benghazi, officials said.

[…]

Update #3:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdwwFOoNgc

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