Question 1: We know that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has a naval base on Farsi Island. From there, they have based “swarm†attacks — made by bunches of small armed boats — against other nations’ ships from time to time. From what we know so far, it appears that the refueling for the two riverine boats was planned to be near Farsi Island. Given wind, currents and the possibility of human error, what idiot decided to refuel the boats so near an IRGC naval base?
Question 2: What orders and rules of engagement told the sailors what they had to do if they encountered Iranian forces? The military code of conduct requires commanders not to surrender while anyone is capable of fighting. Through Iran has been at war with us since 1979, we’re not at war with them. The president gives every indication that he regards the Iranians as friends. Did the ROE require the sailors to not fire until fired upon? Just what did they say?
Question 3: Did the boat having engine trouble report that fact to higher command? If it did, was its location, and that of the second boat, tracked by satellite or otherwise? If not, why not? If the boats were tracked, were there any forces available by air or sea to rescue them from Iranian forces?
Question 4: What force confronted the two boats on Tuesday and took them prisoner? I’m not, on the basis of what we know, going to say that the ten sailors had to fight and lose their lives in a futile battle. Running was probably not possible given the disability of one boat’s engines, but surrender can’t be the first option. Nartker or one of the other sailors must have radioed for help when the Iranians approached. What was the response? Was there a Benghazi-like “stand down†order from higher ups? Just how far up the chain of command were people aware of the boats’ predicament and what did they do?
Question 5: What training in the Code of Conduct did the sailors receive? Nartker is reportedly a 2011 graduate of the Naval Academy and had to know his duties under the Code. He likely was in command of the two boats. At this point, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on the surrender, because he may have confronted an overwhelming force. But he must have known that making his apology to the video would lend aid and comfort to the enemy that captured his command. His conduct should be investigated and he may have to be court-martialed.
Add to uour list: John Kerry called Iran and told them the boats were there.
In effect, they handed the sim cards from the phones to iran along with encrypt keys, frequencies, etc.
Kerry got away with going to see the enemy in Paris as a yound Naval Officer. This young Naval officer will get away with cowering in front of and surrendering his command to the enemy as well.
No sensitive items were thrown overboard, no effort made to resist, nothing. The LT needs to be court martialed for that and for his comments to the iranian cameras. Disgusting. and btw, this has already dropped off the news radar. Nothing embarrassing to Obama hangs around long.
Since his superiors (the civilian ones, at least) do not consider Iran the enemy, no harm, no foul.