US sending in the Marines to deal with the pirates off the coast of Africa. No, this isn't a repeat from 1805

[Terminator]

WASHINGTON – The Navy is moving a huge amphibious ship closer to the scene of the pirate hostage standoff off Somalia.
Defense officials say the USS Boxer will be nearby soon. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss sensitive ship movements.
The Boxer is the flag ship for a multination anti-piracy task force. The Boxer resembles a small aircraft carrier. It has a crew of more than 1,000, a mobile hospital, missile launchers and about two dozen helicopters and attack planes.
Two other Navy ships are expected to remain much closer to the pirate-held lifeboat. The USS Bainbridge is in sight of the lifeboat; the USS Halyburton is nearby. The Bainbridge uses drones to keep watch on the lifeboat. The Halyburton has helicopters.

[So Fla Cop]

Why? Are we going to give them a battleship so they will be our friends, those poor misguided people? Oblahblah is a con job.

[ohionarc]

More window dressing.....thnk this through.....

You have a skiff...26' out of fuel adrift with a few criminals holding one citizen, and we can't resuce him? This is rudimentary maritime tactical.....swim in, zap the bad guys, grab citizen and swim out. So why haven't we done this? There is NO DOUBT in my mind we have folks with the skills on scene for the job.

Interested to hear your perspectives on why we will let these cowards continue at the cost of an American life.

[Retdetsgt]

You have a skiff...26' out of fuel adrift with a few criminals holding one citizen, and we can't resuce him? This is rudimentary maritime tactical.....swim in, zap the bad guys, grab citizen and swim out. So why haven't we done this? There is NO DOUBT in my mind we have folks with the skills on scene for the job.

I'm don't know much about maritime operations, but I don't think it's that simple. That lifeboat looks pretty much enclosed. Tossing in a flashbang, smoking the bad guys and grabbing the hostage isn't that easy, if even at all possible. For one thing, they can't even see the pirates or what they're doing. And the pirates no doubt have small observation holes so they can see the good guys and what they're doing.

As you said, they're out of fuel and going nowhere. Why risk the life of the captain at this point when we're holding most of the cards? The pirates know it they harm him, they have nothing to negotiate with and will immediately be vapor. This captain seems to be an extraordinary man, I see no reason to unduly risk his life.

I could well be wrong, but what I've seen of that lifeboat on the news, it looks pretty damned hard to get into quickly enough to not get that captain killed. If it were an open skiff, I'd wholly agree with you.

After we get the hostage back, then make a desert of all the Somali ports where they hang out.

[ohionarc]

ABC News is reporting the Captain of the Maertz Alabama has been freed by pirates after a stand-off.

[Cidp24]

American sea Captain Richard Phillips was rescued from four Somali pirates Sunday, a U.S. intelligence official said.
Three pirates were killed and one was in custody after what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast, the official said.
Phillips, who was not hurt, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Talks began Thursday with the captain of the USS Bainbridge talking to the pirates under instruction from FBI hostage negotiators on board the U.S. destroyer.
U.S. warships and helicopters stalked the lifeboat holding Phillips and his four Somali captors Sunday, while his crew briefed FBI agents about how they fought off the pirates who boarded their ship, the Maersk Alabama

[Retdetsgt]

That's great. I read he jumped again and this time the SEALS were ready. They killed three pirates and wounded the fourth.

Now it's time to bring in the bombers.......

[JSO85360]

Should have let the Marines handle it. "contact made, all people on board considered losses. One down by friendly fire. Mission accomplished. 43 seconds. We're heading back to Pendleton for 1750 chow."

[Xiphos]

Kudos to the Commander in Chief for manning up and doing the right thing.

[bayern]

Which headline will you read from the New York Times tomorrow (if they can afford to print it).

Today, brave young SEALS from the United States Navy rescued the Captain being held hostage by 4 pirates. Unfortunately, 3 of the pirates were killed. The fourth one is being held by the US Navy and being treated in a kindly manner, being fed and receiving medical care. The Ships Captain is unhurt.

OR

Today, off the coast of Africa, a group of blood thirsty SEALS from the warmongering US Navy brutally killed 3 peaceful Somalian seaman who were just trying to make a living and feed their impoverished family's. Under the guise of negotiating, the 3 seaman were shot down in cold blood and the money-hungry Captain was forcibly taken to the Navy Ship and is being held incommunicado. The US Justice Dept and Navy JAG Officers are investigating this incident to see if Criminal Charges are warranted against the SEALS and the Captain of the Navy Ship.

[JSO85360]

Which headline will you read from the New York Times tomorrow (if they can afford to print it).

Today, brave young SEALS from the United States Navy rescued the Captain being held hostage by 4 pirates. Unfortunately, 3 of the pirates were killed. The fourth one is being held by the US Navy and being treated in a kindly manner, being fed and receiving medical care. The Ships Captain is unhurt.

OR

Today, off the coast of Africa, a group of blood thirsty SEALS from the warmongering US Navy brutally killed 3 peaceful Somalian seaman who were just trying to make a living and feed their impoverished family's. Under the guise of negotiating, the 3 seaman were shot down in cold blood and the money-hungry Captain was forcibly taken to the Navy Ship and is being held incommunicado. The US Justice Dept and Navy JAG Officers are investigating this incident to see if Criminal Charges are warranted against the SEALS and the Captain of the Navy Ship.

Well since it was the Seals and not the Marines, we should be ok. The Navy is like the FD. They are always the good guys. The Marines are more like the PD. No matter what they do, it's always an act of aggression. I made a mental note to myself back in 1976, that if I ever leave the US again, it will be in Battalion force and I'll kill anyone that stands in the way. I'm anxious to see the paper and see what kind of lies they tell.

[JSO85360]

Kudos to the Commander in Chief for manning up and doing the right thing.

who is the CiC? I know you're not talking about Obama who couldn't get into the military or a PD in the nation with his past drug use.....He wouldn't know what the right thing was if it came up and bit him on the ass.

[TXCharlie]

At the news conference the Navy spokesman said that Navy SEAL Snipers took three of the pirates out at a distance of 25 - 30 meters.

The snipers waited for a clear simultaneous shot to the head for all three pirates, and took it. The Captain was still tied up in the lifeboat a few feet from them. The 4th pirate was already on the Navy ship, where he was attempting to negotiate.

There's your answer to negotiations- and here's your sign

Good job SEALS!!!

Surprisingly, Obama gave them pre-authorization on two occasions.

[BigDawg]

I think the headlines will be more along the lines of how the CIC stepped in and ordered the SEALS to rescue the Captain.

However;

Had it gone bad Im sure the CIC would be talking how he asked them to negotiate more and he would now be looking into disbanding the SEALS.

[JSO85360]

30 yard shots. I kill deer from that distance with a bow. Regardless, the SEALs did an excellent job, and thank G'd nothing went wrong, or Obama would be blaming them for not following instructions. He may be the President, but I'll never refer to him to as CIC. I require some qualifications for that title, not just the majority vote of an ignorant group of citizens.

[Xiphos]

I don't understand why these crews don't arm themselves. I understand the arguments to avoid being a "warship" or whatever but seriously... Just hide them. If pirates try boarding you you can defend yourself. Who will care if a bunch of pirates went out to sea and never returned?

[JSO85360]

I don't understand why these crews don't arm themselves. I understand the arguments to avoid being a "warship" or whatever but seriously... Just hide them. If pirates try boarding you you can defend yourself. Who will care if a bunch of pirates went out to sea and never returned?

Obama probablly already made some kind of agreement with them, offered them their own pirates union, and a percentage of our taxes to help fund a pirating academy to teach them better ship to ship boarding skiill......you're right. Who gives a shit if a bunch of pirates go to sea and never come back.

[Donut Aficionado]

I'm thinking the next thing Capt. Phillips would like is about 10 minutes in a room alone with the captured pirate.

[Captain America]

The United States Navy cut it's baby teeth fighting pirates. Somewhere Stephen Decateur is smiling having a beer. Nice job guys.

[SPD]

30 yard shots. I kill deer from that distance with a bow.

Try that when the floor is moving constantly and your target is bobbing up and down constantly. Huge difference.