Posted on 03/22/2006 8:43:33 AM PST by robowombat
U.S. Navy Ships Return Fire on Suspected Pirates
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060318-01 Release Date: 3/18/2006 12:18:00 PM
From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
ABOARD USS CAPE ST. GEORGE, At sea (NNS) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) returned fire on a group of suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean, killing one and wounding five, approximately 25 nautical miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia in international waters at 5:40 a.m. local time, March 18.
Cape St. George, a guided-missile cruiser, and Gonzalez, a guided-missile destroyer, were conducting maritime security operations in the area as part of Combined Task Force 150, a maritime coalition task force currently led by Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Hank Ort, when they spotted a suspect vessel towing two smaller skiffs heading west toward the coast. As Gonzalez’s boarding teams prepared to conduct a routine boarding of the suspect vessel, the two Norfolk, Va.-based Navy ships noticed the group of suspected pirates were brandishing what appeared to be rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers.
The suspected pirates then opened fire on the Navy ships. Cape St. George and Gonzalez returned fire with small arms in self-defense.
One suspected pirate was killed and a fire ignited aboard the main suspect vessel. Boarding teams from Cape St. George and Gonzalez took twelve other suspects into custody, including the five injured. The Navy boarding teams also confiscated an RPG launcher and automatic weapons. No U.S. Sailors were injured in the engagement.
The Navy ships are providing medical treatment to the wounded suspects, continuing search and rescue efforts for any additional suspects and collecting further evidence from the vessel and skiffs. Royal Netherlands Navy medical personnel, including a medical doctor, are en route to assist from HNLMS Amsterdam.
Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.
On March 15, the United Nations Security Council encouraged naval forces operating off the coast of Somalia to be vigilant and take action against piracy. Pirate attacks against aid ships have hindered UN efforts to provide relief to the victims of a severe drought in the area.
Old news...
Get them healthy and then execute them.
Aye! Commit them to the Briney deep, Matey..
Score one for the good guys.
Note to self: Don't step on Superman's cape...
I think the pirates should be flogged around the fleet. In this case, just back and forth between the tin can and the cruiser.
Well done, Navy!
I almost have to wonder if one of the idiots opened fire on an American ship and was killed by the others for being so stupid.
I don't know.. as appealing as that sounds these sissy-boy terrorist are nothing but children playing cowboys and indians for real- and they usually sing like canaries once caught- so grab 'em and ask them some questions- in a nice friendly place where they are not so polite when asking questions..
I agree.
WHAT level of stupidity motivates a Jihady to fire on a US Navy Man O' War already at GQ?
I guess it's hard for us to cognitively acknowledge that these guys truly have a death wish.
Memo to "pirates" (terrorists): Bad idea. Don't bring an RPG to a 5" .50 cal fight. Actually, they probably used their Bushmasters.
Spoilsport ;-p
Yep. Grab the survivors and tell them that the Jordanians will get the information the hard way if they don't want to talk.
I think if the pirate ship was large enough, I'd go for the torpedos (that would be real shock and awe!), but otherwise the 5" and the 25mm Bushmaster. (Same gun used on the Bradely fighting vehicles by the Army).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.