[El Gato]

Stuff is so FUBAR these days.

Understatement of the day.

But it will get worse, way before it starts to get better.

[BIGLOOK]

Stayed away from the ops speculations on this since I know that once the Skipper of the Bainbridge got his orders to proceed to rescue Maersk Alabama from 300 miles away, he most likely requested from Fleet for a team to be sent in for a rendezvous. Heard too many stories to the contrary and too many theories on how the rescue proceeded.

I find it hard to believe that the request from Bainbridge to Fleet to Foggy Bottom was denied, delayed or stepped on for political reasons. This conflicts with SOP given to the on site commander and OOB determined by Fleet command. Sounds like the Admiral had JAG working overtime finagling and parsing orders from CIC looking for a solution to do what was supposed to be done in the first place.

Dialog oughtn't take four days, the Navy came up with the right solution saving not only Captain Phillips but also the CIC's sorry ass. The latter is the only downside in this event.