All that force - within minutes of last know position. And they couldn't find them?
NAVCENT’s initial operational reports showed that while in transit from Kuwait to Bahrain the RCBs deviated from their planned course on their way to the refueling. The command investigation will determine what caused the change in course and why the RCBs entered into Iranian territorial waters in the vicinity of Farsi Island.
No GPS? No compass? All failed on TWO boats? How about just head WEST as FAST as possible?
At some point one RCB had indications of a mechanical issue in a diesel engine which caused the crews to stop the RCBs and begin troubleshooting. As the RCBs travel together, the second RCB also stopped. This stop occurred in Iranian territorial waters, although it’s not clear the crew was aware of their exact location. While the RCBs were stopped and the crew was attempting to evaluate the mechanical issue, Iranian boats approached the vessels.
TWO BOATS. One will tow the other.
Based upon initial operational reports, the first boats on scene were two small craft with armed personnel on board. Soon after, two more Iranian military vessels arrived on scene also with armed personnel on board.
We have guns too. They mean "stay the f*ck away"
Initial operational reports indicate there was a verbal exchange between the Sailors and the Iranians but no exchange of gun fire. Armed Iranian military personnel then boarded the RCBs, while other Iranian personnel aboard the Iranian vessels conducted armed over-watch of the boats with mounted machine guns.
Out guys just surrendered without a fight? Against the US Military Code of Conduct? They all surrendered? No one relieved the officer the charge for being a coward? Are these folks now going to a court-martial?
Each RCB-90 has two diesel with water jet propulsion...so reduced speed but not dead in the water.
A steaming pile of horse hockey.
We have guns too.
You are right, and based on the photos that have been released and the many videos available on Youtube of what may be the very same boats, the US boats had overwhelming fire superiority. Does anybody really think a couple of guys in a plastic boat with AK-47s and one mounted 7.62mm machine gun would have engaged a US boat with multiple 50 caliber machine guns, M-240 machine guns, and a Dillon 7.62mm gatling gun? In the video below the boat has a remotely controlled 50 caliber machine gun with its associated targeting system. I'd rather not speculate about its performance, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is more accurate than a manually aimed gun. (Not all of the RCP boats are equipped with that gun system.)
Take a look at the live fire drill here
Interestingly, in the DOD released videos of these boats training near Bahrain, the crew also carry rifles, so even in a close quarters battle they have an extra weapon.
Someday we'll learn the real story.
Good point - supposedly the Harry Truman was about 45 miles away. That means one of the RCP boats could have arrived alongside the Harry Truman in about an hour. As could any equally fast boat. Does it really make sense that the crews on board the Harry Truman and the rest of the carrier battle group aren't tracking every boat within close range?
I'll bet they can scramble planes and mount a defense pretty quickly, but I would think they would want to know what boats were around them. And I suspect their airborne radar surveillance could cover the area.