The Obama administration is working hard to play down the U.S. role in the airstrikes and no-fly zone operations on and over Libya, with senior officials stressing that the U.S. involvement is “limited” and that the operation is a broad-based coalition effort with international participation and Arab League backing — not a U.S.-led foray into yet another predominantly Muslim nation, which could further damage its already poor image in that part of the world. The Navy released at least seven images Monday, all apparently aimed at reinforcing that sense: All but one includes a coalition officer or aircraft. For example: this photo of liaison officers from coalition countries meeting with Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn (JTF OD) staff members aboard the command ship Mount Whitney to discuss command and control of the “multi-phase international military operations.”
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes
And this one:
A French navy AS365 F Dauphin rescue helicopter from the French carrier Charles de Gaulle test lands aboard Mount Whitney. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gary Keen
And this one:
Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn, speaks with French navy Rear Adm. Philippe Coindreau, deputy commander, French maritime forces, aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, operating in the Mediterranean in support of the operation. // U.S. Navy photo
The Navy has released some mostly-shadowy video of U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps-only operations, including several ship-based Tomahawk missile launches from over the weekend. So far, though, the U.S.-only pickings have been rather slim.
