US sea captain freed in swift firefight

[SuperScout]

Did anybody else notice that our illustrious leader didn't praise our US Navy for their splendid rescue mission? What a POS. Is there some international law that prevents us from having armed guards onboard commercial ships? It's as if we're inviting more prirate attacks. Why do we need to practice repeated stupidity?

[darrels joy]

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/librar...tart=&clipStop=

[Seascamp]

I don’t know that Obama is free to give credit where credit is due even if he feels compelled to give a nod to the USN. His dance partners would take great umbrage at such a notion and we can’t have a palace revolt, right. Rather, I expect the ‘Obama done it’ ambiance to continue to press forth in the media. Kind of reminds me of a sticker I saw on the back of a jeepney today, see pic.

"Bawal. Umutot" means: “Warning. Don’t make a stink.” Or in context with a situation can mean: “Warning. Don’t pick a fight”

Scamp

[darrels joy]

US captain freed; Somali pirates vow to retaliate

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a daring high-seas rescue, U.S. Navy SEAL snipers killed three Somali pirates and freed the American sea captain who had offered himself as a hostage to save his crew. The operation was a victory for the world's most powerful military but angry pirates vowed Monday to retaliate.

Those threats raised fears for the safety of some 230 foreign sailors still held hostage in more than a dozen ships anchored off the coast of lawless Somalia.

"From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them (the hostages)," Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old pirate, told the Associated Press from one of Somalia's piracy hubs, Eyl. "(U.S. forces have) become our No. 1 enemy."

News of Capt. Richard Phillips' rescue caused his crew in Kenya to break into wild cheers and brought tears to the eyes of those in Phillips' hometown of Underhill, Vermont, half a world away from the Indian Ocean drama.

President Barack Obama called Phillips' courage "a model for all Americans" and said he was pleased with the rescue, but added the United States still needed help from other countries to deal with piracy and to hold pirates accountable.

The stunning resolution to a five-day standoff came Sunday in a daring nighttime assault in choppy seas after pirates had agreed to let the USS Bainbridge tow their powerless lifeboat out of rough water.

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney said Phillips, 53, was tied up and in "imminent danger" of being killed because a pirate on the lifeboat held an AK-47 assault rifle to the back of his head.

At that, the commander of Bainbridge made the split-second decision to order Navy snipers to shoot at the lifeboat, about 25-30 yards (meters) away, taking aim at the pirates' heads and shoulders.

A fourth pirate surrendered after boarding the Bainbridge earlier in the day and could face life in a U.S. prison. He had been seeking medical attention for a wound to his hand and was negotiating with U.S. officials on conditions for Phillips' release, military officials said.

In a move that surprised the pirates, the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama had put up a fight Wednesday when pirates boarded the ship. Until then, Somali pirates had become used to encountering no resistance once they boarded a ship in search of million-dollar ransoms.

Yet Sunday's blow to their lucrative activities is unlikely to stop pirates from threatening one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, simply because of the size of the vast area stretching from the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia.

In fact, some say it may provoke retaliatory attacks against other hostages.

"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," said Gortney, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
A Somali pirate agreed.

"Every country will be treated the way it treats us. In the future, America will be the one mourning and crying," Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding a Greek ship anchored in the Somali town of Gaan, told The Associated Press on Monday. "We will retaliate (for) the killings of our men."

On Friday, French navy commandos stormed a pirate-held sailboat, the Tanit, in a shootout at sea that killed two pirates and one French hostage and freed four French citizens.

The drama surrounding Phillips and his ship — the first American taken hostage in the Gulf of Aden — has made headlines around the world, pitting a lone captain held by pirates on a tiny, drifting boat surrounded by U.S. warships.


The pirates still hold about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew members, according to the piracy watchdog International Maritime Bureau. Hostages are from Bulgaria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, the Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Tuvalu and Ukraine, among other countries.
Vilma de Guzman, whose husband is one of 23 Filipino sailors held hostage since Nov. 10 on chemical tanker MT Stolt Strength, feared Phillips' rescue may endanger the lives of other hostages.

"The pirates might vent their anger on them," she said. "Those released are lucky, but what about those who remain captive?"

She also criticized world media for focusing so much on the U.S. captain but giving little attention to other hostages.

Phillips was not hurt in several minutes of gunfire Sunday and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said he was resting comfortably on a U.S. warship after receiving a medical exam.

Aboard the Bainbridge, sailors passed along a message from Andrea Phillips to her husband: "Richard, your family loves you, your family is praying for you, and your family is saving a chocolate Easter egg for you, unless your son eats it first."

Phillips himself deflected any praise.

"I'm just the byline. The real heroes are the Navy, the SEALs, those who have brought me home," Phillips said by phone to Maersk Line Limited President and CEO John Reinhart.

With news of the rescue, Phillips' 17,000-ton ship, which docked with his 19 crew members Saturday in Mombasa, Kenya, erupted into wild cheers.

Some waved an American flag and one fired a bright red flare in celebration.

"We made it!" said crewman ATM Reza, pumping his fist in the air.

In Vermont, Maersk spokeswoman Alison McColl choked up as she stood outside the family's house and read their statement.

"Andrea and Richard have spoken. I think you can all imagine their joy, and what a happy moment that was for them. They're all just so happy and relieved.

"Andrea wanted me to tell the nation that all of your prayers and good wishes have paid off because Captain Phillips is safe," she said.

The ship had been carrying food aid bound for Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda when the ordeal began Wednesday hundreds of miles (kilometers) off Somalia's eastern coast. As the pirates clambered aboard and shot in the air, Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men.

Phillips was then taken hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was soon shadowed by three U.S. warships and a helicopter. Phillips jumped out of the lifeboat Friday and tried to swim for his freedom but was recaptured when a pirate fired into the water, according to U.S. Defense Department officials.

The surviving fourth pirate was in military custody, but FBI spokesman John Miller said that would change as the situation became "more of a criminal issue than a military issue."

Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula said his country had not received any request from the United States to try the captured pirate, but would "consider it on its own merit."

When the United States captured pirates in 2006, Kenya agreed to try them. Ten pirates were convicted and are serving prison sentences of seven years each.

Worried residents of Harardhere, another Somali pirate stronghold, gathered in the street Monday to discuss possible repercussions.

"We fear that any revenge taken by the pirates against foreign nationals could bring more attacks from the foreign navies, perhaps on our villages," Abdullahi Haji Jama, a clothing store owner, told the AP by telephone.
___ Jakes reported from Washington. Associated Press writers who contributed to this report include Mohamed Olad Hassan and Mohamed Sheikh Nor in Mogadishu, Somalia; Michelle Faul, Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Malkhadir M. Muhumed and Tom Maliti in Kenya; Matt Apuzzo and Jennifer Loven in Washington; Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines; John Curran in Underhill, Vermont, Matt Moore in Berlin; Dena Potter in Norfolk, Virginia.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_af/piracy

[darrels joy]

Navy commander: Trio of shots ended sea standoff
By PAULINE JELINEK – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adm. William Gortney said Monday that it took only three shots for Navy snipers to kill the trio of pirates holding captain Richard Phillips hostage on a lifeboat drifting on the high seas.

Interviewed from Bahrain, Gortney said the takedown happened shortly after the hostage-takers were observed by sailors aboard the USS Bainbridge "with their heads and shoulders exposed."

Asked how the snipers could have killed each pirate with a single shot in the darkness, Gortney described them as "extremely, extremely well-trained." He told NBC's "Today" show the shooting by the snipers was ordered by the captain of the Bainbridge after the pirates came into view.

Military officials were widely praising the snipers for three flawless shots, which they described as remarkable, coming at night and from the stern of a ship on rolling waters.

Defense officials also indicated, speaking anonymously, that the Navy snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one of the pirates was seen holding an AK-47 so close to Phillips that the weapon appeared to be touching him. Two other pirates popped their heads up, giving snipers all three of their targets, one official said.

The military officials asked not to be named because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.

They said that a fourth pirate who survived was believed to be between 16 and 20 years old, and had in effect surrendered before the sniper rescue.

One official said he jumped into a small craft that had been taking food to the lifeboat, and asked to be taken to the Bainbridge. He also needed medical help because he had been stabbed in the hand on the Maersk Alabama in the initial standoff with crew members when the pirates attempted unsuccessfully to take over the cargo vessel, officials said.

Shane Murphy, a crew member of the Maersk Alabama, told a news conference: "We are lucky to be out of it with every one of us alive. We never had to fight to take our ship back. We never gave up."

The Navy released images of the scene from an unmanned drone, Scan Eagle. It showed that the snipers had positioned themselves on the fantail of the Bainbridge. The snipers fired simultaneously. One of the pirates was in the pilot house.

The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and they were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.

He said negotiations with the pirates had been "going up and down.

Discussions would be going well, and then they would get discouraged and real angry." This official, asking not to be publicly identified because he, too, was not authorized to discuss this on the record, said the pirates were "becoming increasingly agitated in the rough waters; they weren't getting what they wanted."

Just as it was getting dark, pirates fired a tracer bullet "toward the Bainbridge," further heightening the sense that the incident was ratcheting up, the official said.

He said that at the time snipers took their shot, Phillips' hands were bound.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...IpDpQD97HJMMO3

[reconeil]

The way I see things, the resolution of this latest episode of piracy on the high seas is both GOOD & BAD.

Of course the resolution was/is GOOD for The Captain, The Crew & even ALL We Americans, since what better could there be when ALL captors end up alive & well & 3 pirates got their just & due rewards. Plus, what better national pride can there possibly be than when The U.S. Military does/did their jobs & what trained for SO-DAMN OUTSTANDINGLY!!!

However, and what I believe (plus have also believed for quite some time) is that any American Intelligence Agencies or Special Op Commands PUBLICLY disclosing how any such lethally dangerous for American Citizens episodes are successfully resolved,...is VERY, VERY, VERY BAD.

Knowledge of such no doubt truly: "Feel Good" for political leaders, press & Yellow Ribbon tying American People in general. But, and whether politicians falsely take credit for handling a crisis that couldn't have been favorably resolved any other way, press gets better ratings than normally & American People in general are thrilled over the outcome,...I still must believe that disclosing any such tactics (plus time needed) long term only worthwhile to either enemies or pirates.

Neither of America's enemies or pirates are just-plain-fools or just a bunch of: "Backwoods Spear-chuckers". Also & since such having both Internet & TV access, I must also believe that all of America's Enemiies are thus better informed & much more interested in America's Military Tactics,...than the average American.

You can betchur-bibby that such ATTACKERS of THE DEFENSELESS Scum of The Earth will rarely ever make the same mistakes twice,...and especially when becoming privy to what should normally be: "CLASSIFIED" Intel & Politically Commanded Tactics.


Sure, I feel a little sorry for TV News, The History Channel, Military Channel & such, and Americans denied such entertaining & informing in general But, SO WHAT???

Warfare & Military-wise nothing has truly changed in about 65 years. That's Right,..."A Slip of The Lip (broadcasting tactics to enemy also) Can Sink A Ship".

Hope, and before too late, that such will be once again realized by America's Civilian Warlords and/or micro-managers of U.S. Military,...for both Maritime & Land Conflicts?

Besides,...why-in-the-hell always keep giving America's enemies The Politically-Correct (an oxymoron) Edge, anyway? Always being such Good Sports seems quite asinine to me,...since no doubt always causing more U.S. Casualties THAN SHOULD EVER NEED BE.

Also, why always be so-damn-enemy-helpful, anyway?
Why should The American Taxpayer spend fortunes for Intelligence Gathering Agencies,...
when all our many enemies worldwide (pirates inclusive),...need only: "Tune in News at Eleven" for their despicable needs?

Neil

[Stick]

Yeah, BHO's probably hanging his head down since it was his call that resulted in three people dead.
"Tough ...hit big boy, you're playing in the big leagues now."
It's about time that he reacted as the Commander and Chief of the finest group military men and women in the world. I hope he went to bed proud of what was accomplished last night without Hill-Rod's help. Wouldn't it be great if he would just say to troops and swabees in Iraq and Afghanistan that they were "free to use military force."
Can't do that though 'cause it would save too much money not being spent at all those "Defense Contractors" and add to the unemployment 'cause the troops would be home long before his projected "date of withdrawal" from those country's and that bimbo secretary of State wouldn't have anyone to talk too.

[sn-e3]

here is my post from the other post somebody must have read it. go figgure. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was on the ships landing party on a fletcher class destroyer during vietnam we were all highly trained on the use of all our small arms up to the .50's so if things haven't did a complete 180 I would say some mamby pamby politico has put a dapper on saving the captian. PS with just a helo unrap a coupe squad's of seal's could be deployed to the destroyer. WE have to draw a line in the sea and kill anyone who dares cross it. My stance is the pirates bring in reinforcements thats a declaration of war and should be delt with as such. Sorry to the un armed hostages but if we don't act harshly the war is over before it starts.

[Packo]

Looks like the Navy is monitoring our messages! Glad we could help them.

Way to go Navy!

Pack

[reconeil]

Here's a little something else to think about or just kick-around.

Does anyone honestly believe that any SWAT teams in America would function as well with
their Difficult Tasks (at best), jobs or requirements,...if Mayor of City or Town was the only
one whom could actually give: "The Green Light" for taking out any Dangerous Killers on scene?
Of Course Not.

So then,...what-in-the-hell logic or sense is there to always doing such for The U.S. Military?

For: "Black Box" Nuclear Strike type scenarios one can certainly understand Presidential OKs
being needed from a politician. Whereas for military on sight conflicts or piracies unfolding,
waiting for political permission to do what best for American Citizens' well-beings,..............
is actually quite stupidly obscene.

Letting still undefeated enemies or pirates knowing exact methods or tactics of how America
quite rightfully whipped them THIS TIME,...will never be too Nationally Bright, EITHER.

Hey,...granted one most certainly should never naively or stupidly: "Love thin enemy".
But,...at least: "Respect your enemy" enough to not think them basically all morons whom
never have any memories of defeat or failures, whatsoever.

Cavalierly don't: "Respect your enemy",...and more than likely such will eventually pop up
somewhere and bite-you-on-the-butt, and no doubt QUITE SEVERELY to-boot.
Amen and/or: "So it is written" Bros.

Neil