The U.S. is shifting the combat role to Britain, France and other NATO allies, but American air power is still in demand.

U.S. extends Libya airstrike role by 48 hours

By Richard Lardner - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Apr 3, 2011 16:37:36 EDT

WASHINGTON — The U.S. agreed to NATO’s request for a 48-hour extension of American participation in coalition airstrikes against targets in Libya and U.S. lawmakers cautioned Sunday the allies need to know more about the rebels fighting Moammar Gadhafi’s forces before providing them with weapons.

Two weeks into the assault on Gadhafi, Republican lawmakers expressed concern that a stalemate could leave him in control of portions of Libya and with access to stockpiles of chemical weapons.

The U.S. is shifting the combat role to Britain, France and other NATO allies, but American air power is still in demand. Air Force AC-130 gunships and A-10 Thunderbolts and Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers will continue to attack Gadhafi’s troops and other sites through Monday evening. These aircraft are among the most precise in the American arsenal.

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