U.S. Navy Ships Return Fire on Suspected Pirates

www.news.navy.mil ^ | 3/18/2006 12:18:00 PM | U.S. Naval Forces Central Command

[DmBarch]

Another article says our Navy returned fire with mounted machine guns. I assume they were .50 Cal.

[rottndog]

Redundancy.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

Why didn't they open up with the main battery and sink them? We had two sailors injured for nothing. IMHO

[quikdrw]

Both of those ships have a 5 inch gun that can pump out alot fire. Plus, they both have CIWS. Of course, neither of them are an Iowa class with nine 16 inch guns and a bunch more 5 inch ones.

[OESY]

Shift right, then note Somalia's strategic position in East Africa. Note also that due north
is Dubai (U.A.E.), home of the largest naval port outside the USA. Ask yourself
why any responsible senator would want to risk our relations with this ally?

[Roverman2K]

Suicide Jihad and virgins no doubt

[TyroneSlothrop]

I like CheeseWhiz on my cracker. I like SeaWhiz on my Somali pirate vessel.

[Roverman2K]

Agreed, Kerry would be just like Carter if he got elected, trying to negotiate instead of acting for a year! while the hostages rotted in Iran.
Only thing stopping another 9-11 is the fear of OUR God GW has instilled in our muslim friends.

[Roverman2K]

Probaby used a .50 cal on them, maybe M16, the .50 would have killed them all real quick

[ALPAPilot]

When do we get pic's of them walking the plank?

[NRA2BFree]

Our Navy rocks! God Bless them all! I hope they sunk their boats. I only wish they would have done it with the pirates still on them. :o)

[aomagrat]

One suspected pirate was killed and a fire ignited aboard the main suspect vessel.

How long before the MSM or their democrat buddies demand an investigation on if this was a proper use of force.

[Farmer Dean]

I was thinking more of quad 40 mounts.One of those could take apart a small ship pretty well.Of course if 5 or six mounts were working together on the job--

[TC Rider]

You beat me. That was my first thought.

The bad guys should be glad they didn't open up on them with a deck gun.

[quikdrw]

The quads would have done in these idiots. My ship, the Butte AE-27, up-loaded the Iowa when it was recommissioned.

My brother was a Senior Chief, that was in charged of the CWIS. He gave me a tour of the Iowa during the up-load. They didn't have the quad mounts anymore, but the kept the 5 inch ones.

[rcofdayton]

Where is Uganda?

[mware]

[rabidralph]

Boarding teams from Cape St. George and Gonzalez took twelve other suspects into custody, including the five injured.

Arrrrggghhh! That's me Navy!

[doorgunner69]

Beside the .50 cal, recently mounted for just this type of crap (remember the Iranians playing in the Gulf), they have crew trained with the M14. That is pretty much all of the optically aimed stuff I think, but one of those rapid fire grenade launcers would be really cool for this. And the navy may be well have gone beyond what is generally known about, what with the new lightweight gatling guns.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Burn, baby burn, pirate inferno!

060318-N-8623S-003 Indian Ocean (March 18, 2006) - A suspected pirate vessel ignites in flames before burning to the waterline. USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71) were conducting maritime security operations in international waters off the coast of Somalia and attempted to perform a routine boarding of the suspicious vessel towing two skiffs. The suspected pirates opened fire on the U.S. Navy ships and the ships’ crew members returned fire. One suspect was killed and 12 were taken into custody. Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations to ensure security and safety in international waters so legitimate mariners can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Daniel Sanford (RELEASED)

060318-N-8623S-006 Indian Ocean (March 18, 2006) - Evidence of small arms fire impact is visible on USS Cape St. George’s (CG 71) hull after suspected pirates opened fire on USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) and Cape St. George. The ships were conducting maritime security operations in international waters off the coast of Somalia and prepared to board a suspicious vessel towing two skiffs. The suspected pirates opened fire on the U.S. Navy ships and the ships’ crew members returned fire. One suspect was killed and 12 were taken into custody. Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations to ensure security and safety in international waters so legitimate mariners can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Daniel Sanford (RELEASED)

060318-N-8623S-004 Indian Ocean (March 18, 2006) - Rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and other armaments lay on the deck of USS Cape St. George (CG 71) after being confiscated during an early-morning engagement with suspected pirates. Cape St. George and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) were fired upon while preparing to board a suspect vessel operating in international waters off the coast of Somalia. One suspect was killed and 12 were taken into custody. Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations to ensure security and safety in international waters so legitimate mariners can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Daniel Sanford (RELEASED)

060318-N-8623S-001 Indian Ocean (March 18, 2006) - Confiscated weapons lay on the deck of guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) following an early-morning engagement with suspected pirates. Cape St. George and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) were fired upon while preparing to board a suspect vessel operating in international waters off the coast of Somalia. One suspect was killed and 12 were taken into custody. Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations to ensure security and safety in international waters so legitimate mariners can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Daniel Sanford (RELEASED)

060318-N-8623S-002 Indian Ocean (March 18, 2006) - An armed suspected pirate looks over the edge of a skiff, in international waters off the coast of Somalia. USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) prepared to board the suspicious vessel. The vessel’s crew members opened fire on the U.S. Navy ships and the ships’ crew members returned fire. One suspect was killed and 12 were taken into custody. Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations to ensure security and safety in international waters so legitimate mariners can operate freely while transiting the region. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Daniel Sanford (RELEASED)