Lynx + crew captured in Libya - Comments

[p3orion]

After having seen the Lybian TV report about the Lynx I am wondering why the helicopter is on the beach pointing with its nose towards the sea. Wouldn't it be much more logical to land the thing with the nose pointing towards land? I mean, if you're flying into a country were you're not supposed to be, the danger comes from land, not from the sea... Now those Lybians most likely approached the Lynx from behind without being noticed by the crew...?

[Arjan]

Fastest way out and the ocean is the safest place to egress.

[aviodromefriend]

After having seen the Lybian TV report about the Lynx I am wondering why the helicopter is on the beach pointing with its nose towards the sea. Wouldn't it be much more logical to land the thing with the nose pointing towards land? I mean, if you're flying into a country were you're not supposed to be, the danger comes from land, not from the sea... Now those Lybians most likely approached the Lynx from behind without being noticed by the crew...?

Maybe the wind was coming from the sea?

[Hurricane]

The situation is about to turn (based on media reports) as rebels fight heavily for 'liberation' of the city Sirte and seem to be on the winning side ... Perhaps this might create a window of opportunity to return the Lynx however this doesn't solve the crewproblem.

[aviodromefriend]

The situation is about to turn (based on media reports) as rebels fight heavily for 'liberation' of the city Sirte and seem to be on the winning side ... Perhaps this might create a window of opportunity to return the Lynx however this doesn't solve the crewproblem.

If the chopper will not be/isn't damaged in those fights. At least we don't know who we have to talk with about it if the fight about this city is on.

At least the national would-be-Dr-Clavans claim the crew would normally be moved away and around a lot of times already, so maybe they are not in Sirte anymore.

[Rockville]

Agree. There is a strong possibility that they are in the vicinity of MK as a form of life insurance.

[Glidepath]

The smart thing for the Libyans to do
is to get rid of the three Royal Netherlands Navy Lynx air crew and do so with flying colours, a full ceremony and of course with all possible media present, Al-jazeera, El-arabia, CNN, BBC world news, etc, and let then go home, with their helicopter, but not after a farewell hope to see you soon 's-Allah, goodbye kiss en many smiling people. Better Sooner than later. It is in their own interest, call it public relations.
That will win the hearts and minds in the west. After all, Khadaffi has been a friend to the west over the last years. That should not have to change because of what the idiots of some media and papers publish and broadcast.

You mean effectively giving the green light for all countries to fly in and out of Libya without permission?
Haven't said that, did I, but that has already happened, (Brits, German and who knows who else). Did you read the entire topic? if not plse do.
Why not exchange gift while we're at it?
Yes, that is very polite, I must have overlooked this good idea. Nice you've added it.
Please allow me to recap what happened:
-1: A Dutch military helicopter flew into Libyan airspace and landed on Libyan territory without permission. This is against international laws, and could be considered a hostile act.
-2: Look at the various newsclips: the crew of three had: one machinegun, one Diemaco rifle and three Glock pistols. The commentary even mentioned 'handgrenades' although these aren't shown. It doesn't exactly look like they came in peace, does it?
Did they use the weapons? Try this analogy The policeman in the street is also armed. So if he pulls a person from a burning vehicle he / she did not come 'in peace'.
If Khadaffi is considered 'a friend of the west over the last years', as you state above, why did we sneak in with a heavily armed military helicopter?
Well, this was the geo-political situation until very recently. Included were selling crude oil, arms etc. Lybia has been offering job to countless ! foreign workers. Remember several Dutch (and other) civil companies are/ have been working on big multi million ongoing projects in Lybia, This means we have a mutual financial / economical relationship with that country. (no matter who is pulling the strings when the water is calm once more).
Our government is always trying to follow the rules and be politically correct,
Say what! Sorry, that claim has no foundation.
and now they've burned their fingers.
Just a wee little bit. Worse has happend. You could say 'again'.
We ask for permission to fly a KDC-10 to Libya, and do so without problems. We ask for permission to fly a C-130 to Libya, and do so without problems. Then we see the Brits flying in to Libyan (rebel controlled!!) territory and
I find the whole incident extremely embarrasing.
Indeed
I know they won't be able to read it, but I hope the crew will be home safely very soon, and I wish them the best of luck.
We all do, however some may claim 'luck' has nothing to do with it.
With this government, they're going to need it!

Names of the Lynx crew were released, but we haven't seen much about the Royal Haskoning employee.

[Propwash]

Names of the Lynx crew were released, but .....

Yeh,

She'll go into the history books as being the first Netherlands Royal Navy (NRN) 'female' pilot who parked her helicopter .... (unfriendly hands).

M.K. is in his right to lock up the entire crew for a long time and he certainly doesn't want faded Tulips or grey cheese in exchange.

[Glidepath]

-

[Wildpicture]

Or... (only speculating) did some people want to show off after the succesful British operation?

The BBC reports that 8 men of the SAS have been captured after being flown in with a helicopter. They were supposedly protecting a british diplomat trying to contact the rebel forces. Luckily they were captured by the rebels and not by Gadhaffis forces. Complicating the matter was that they were in civilian clothes but armed. According to international law, that would declassify them as soldiers.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12658054

[Bassie76]

Could be propwash, but that is a bit speculating, as she was not the Only pilot on board, there was also a male judging the 'filmpje!'.
Was he in command or was she at that point in time?
Pretty important for the Militaire Willemsorde nomination.

I think the Lynx is flown 'single-pilot'. Other crewmembers are the tacco and possibly sensop.

[Propwash]

M.K. is smart enough for not torturing the captured NRN Crew.

The violations are serious enough for some cockroach (jail) time.
Sooner or later, the NRN Crew will be released in healthy condition.

BTW what should the Dutch do, if an armed Venezuelan Marine helicopter lands without permission in the Dutch Caribbean, to pickup someone?
Waving them with a big smile bye bye, don't think so.

[SquAdmin]

BTW what should the Dutch do, if an armed Venezuelan Marine helicopter lands without permission in the Dutch Caribbean, to pickup someone?
Waving them with a big smile bye bye, don't think so.

In case the Dutch Antilles would be the scene of a civil war like in Libya, I can imagine we might not like it but would understand. Let's keep this within proportions...

[aviodromefriend]

BTW what should the Dutch do, if an armed Venezuelan Marine helicopter lands without permission in the Dutch Caribbean, to pickup someone?

Depends which government is in command at that time. If fakeblond W. can't keep himself out the next time he would demand them to take that islands completely.

[Propwash]

In case the Dutch Antilles would be the scene of a civil war like in Libya, I can imagine we might not like it but would understand. Let's keep this within proportions...

Civil war isn't the issue.

Violating the sovereignty of a foreign state, is 'worldwide' enough for cockroach time.
Doing so with an armed helicopter, will make your cockroach time 'only' a bit longer.

It's all about and if you don't the sovereignty of a state, you'll be punished.
Nothing more, nothing less