Re post 8. Ok, I agree with you, so what really happened?
I posted much more info on this FR thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3384777/posts
“The most plausible explanation for the 10 riverine sailors captured by Iran”
Pasting my basic theory here from the other thread:
////////////////////////
The only nefarious activity was the Iranian RGs bushwhacking some “mall guard” RS sailors on a routine coastal transit.
They knew when they left port, they knew where they were going, they knew the RS ROE would turn a Mexican Standoff into an American Surrender.
And they as hell knew all about the Riverine Squadron, its boats, crews, SOPs etc. They have competent spies in every port in the PG. They are not going to just randomly and accidentally plan and execute an ambush on these hapless mall guard sailors on a routine transit. Make no mistake, this was an ambush. Well conceived, perfectly executed.
The Thinker piece today is a total joke on many levels. The “experts” quoted said that the Iranians probably mistook “Rivierine” (sic) for Marine. [Slapping head with both hands].
Literally, the “experts” cited, and the author, “don’t know SWCC from Shinola.”
//////////////////////////
I agree, and I want to state that it’s not my intent to slam the Riverine Squadrons. Yes, they are in the same USN as the SWCCs, but their mission and personnel could not be more different.
In my opinion, they were either jammed effectively and prevented from calling for help, or they called for help, and the PC JAG pu$$y on the other end told them “UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL YOU FIRE FIRST!!!”
Well, the Iranians are not stupid, at all, and they know our ROE to the letter. That dynamic means that a Mexican Standoff at point-blank machine gun range will turn into an American surrender, once the English speaker on the loudspeaker yells, “Stand away for your weapons or we will slaughter you!”
One thing for sure, those ten sailors went through some intensive “re-education” during their “re-integration” (after a one day detention). They probably had to sign very scary NDA, such that if they ever talk, they’ll be sent to Leavenworth. Pure BS and bluff, but they are kids, and scared, and ashamed too, I”ll bet.