[Tribune7]

He maneuvered toward the Gem of Kilakarai, the cargo ship from Singapore under attack by two boats full of Somali pirates. Within minutes, the pirates caved to threats from Johnston’s team and skulked off, toward the horizon.

OK, this article says the boat was under attack and we let the pirates go. Does anybody else see a problem here?

[jackofhearts]

My kid is at USMA. Five year committement active duty. Full stop. Nothing subtle about it. Too many ‘resume-builders” sneak their way thru the screening process, it’s inevitable. This schmuck from USNA happens to be one of them.

[hoagy62]

Yep...I see the problem: We’re not allowed to engage ships in international waters UNLESS they fire on us first. Doesn’t matter if they’re already attacking another ship...we can only “chase them off” or try to put ourselves in the way so as to prevent the pirates from attacking.

It sucks royally, but them’s the brakes.

If it were MY choice...

“Main guns...target amidship...send him to the bottom! FIRE!”