BlogHop.com
Navy Exchanges Fire With Suspected Pirates
Somali pirates have been plaguing the coast since the country fell into anarchy. Following the attempted taking of a cruise liner last year an international force has been patrolling the Indian Ocean coast. The Cape St. George, a guided-missile cruiser, and Gonzalez, a guided-missile destroyer, were conducting maritime security operations in the area. They are based in Norfolk, Va.
The MO of these pirates is to seize ships and ransom the crew. There is reasonable expectations that this is a part of al-Qeada's financing efforts.
The suspected pirates then opened fire on the Navy ships. The Cape St. George and Gonzalez returned fire with small arms in self defense, officials said.
One suspected pirate was killed and a fire ignited aboard the main suspect vessel. Boarding teams from Cape St. George and Gonzalez took 12 other suspects, including the five who were injured, into custody. The Navy boarding teams also confiscated an RPG launcher and automatic weapons.
No U.S. sailors were injured in the engagement, officials said..
Labels: Somalia, War on Terror
posted by Xyba | 9:06 AM
6 Comments:
|Let me get this right they open fired on a U.S. guided-missile cruiser ? They were aboard a (the article dosent expand what kind of ship, boat whatever.)Must be in a hurry to see some virgins.
A guided missile cruiser and a destroyer. Either one of which could take out the Somali navy. Wait, they don't have a navy...
I am trying to picture the look on the OOD's face. "They're what? Shooting at us? With AK-47s? Um... I guess we shoot back."
My first imprssion was that these were excellent candidates for the Darwin Awards, but upon reflection, I've decided they were the victims of bad information.
With all the recent fawning press Jimmy Carter has been getting world-wide, these Somali's must have thought that he(Carter) was back in command, and thus our ships would haul down their flags at the first sign of hostility.
Kipling said of them, "You're a pore (sic) benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man".
>> took 12 other suspects<< if they were on the craft that openend fire on a US warship then I dont really think they are suspects - just hang them and go catch a few more.
Either stupid, drugged, drunk, or otherwise ignorant of the type of vessels they were approaching...or a combination of the above...The Sea is a Harsh Mistress. Hang 'em or make 'em walk the plank...but for Gods sake dont take them to the neares port and turn them over to the Somali authorities...they're probably at least first cousins to the chief of police and the mayor.
Doug in Colorad, USN, Retired.
I heard the first rule is don't take a grenade to a missle fight.
Post a Comment
<< Home