Iranians Seize British Sailors

ABC GMA | ABC GMA

[moose2004]

"And I'm sure Eastern Europe, especially Poland, would volunteer."

I agree that Poland will help all they can, so will:

Latvia
Lithuania
Estonia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Georgia
Bulgaria
Romania
Albania
Hungary
Ukraine

The Brits, Australia, just about all of Eastern Europe and the Japanese are our most reliable allies in times of crisis.

[archy]

Per BBC:

Frigate with formidable firepower

HMS Cornwall left the UK for the Gulf in January 2007

The 15 British Navy personnel captured at gunpoint in the Gulf serve on board HMS Cornwall, a Type-22 Broadsword-class frigate.

That vessel arrived in the northern Gulf on 12 March.

On board, Commodore Nick Lambert is commanding the task force on his fourth tour of the region.

HMS Cornwall was launched in October 1985 and commissioned at Falmouth, Cornwall, in 1988 by Diana, the Princess of Wales.

Type-22 frigates were originally designed as specialist anti-submarine vessels.

They have evolved into a surface combatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems.

'Ideal' flagship

They also possesses command and control and communication facilities, making them ideal flagships, according to the Royal Navy.

The Ministry of Defence describes the historical role of its frigates as "the eyes and the ears of the Royal Navy's main battle fleets."

The MoD website says the ships are the mainstay of the modern Navy.

"HMS Cornwall is equally capable of attacking targets in the air, on the surface, or beneath the sea, and is also a well-defended vessel." HMS Cornwall, type-22 frigate 5300 tonnes, length 148.1m/485.9ft, beam 14.8m/48.5ft Top speed 30 knots/35mph 250 crew (max 301) 114mm / 4.5 inch gun, Sea Wolf anti-missile system, Quad Harpoon missile launchers

UK sailors held at gunpoint

On patrol they have a cruising speed of 18 knots/21mph , but have a sprint capability of over 30 knots/35mph.

HMS Cornwall's predecessors have battle honours from Barfleur in 1692, the Falkland Islands in 1914 and the Dardanelles in 1915.

It is affiliated to the County of Cornwall, The Light Infantry and the Worshipful Guild of Leathersellers amongst others.

The ship is part of Devonport Flotilla, under Commander Jeremy Woods.

In January 2007 HMS Cornwall was named by the Daily Telegraph as one of six ships being considered for "extended readiness". This would mean the vessels being withdrawn from active service.

The Ministry of Defence said no decision had been made on the fleet.

[moose2004]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/23/iran.uk/index.html

[ASA Vet]

Ahmadinejad would understand hostage taking. He participated in these same acts during the Carter administration.

[Lurking in Kansas]

Didn't Iran see what happened to Argentina? Don't mess with the UK.

Ya think? I'm not sure, that was then and this is now. No Iron Lady in the UK now.

In fact, I think if Tony was in charge in '81 that Argentina might still be in the Falklands.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[Tulsa Ramjet]

I would hold that bastard on the tarmac under gun point until the UK chaps are let go.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

The romanians, sponsored by the u.s. have really proven themselves in the Afghan war

[spokeshave]

Ha....Rove done it again....

Just watch the dims pass that stupid retreat resolution now....Not

[Txsleuth]

I just saw a blurb on the screen at C-span that said that the US did approve Visas for the idiot and his gang of thugs...even though Iran is saying the US denied them.

I hadn't heard anything about a US denial...but, it is obvious he is coming.

YES...I wish we still had Bolton at the UN..and get the Brit Amb...with him, and confront them

HEY...better yet...the US should DENY the VISAS until the Brits are released.

[Shady]

Saturday. I say we hold HIM ransom! (Actually, I would prefer we reopen Alcatraz and make him Alcatraz 2.0 v1!

[epow]

What’s interesting is the recent arrival of the French Nuclear Carrier battle fleet to join up with our two battle carrier groups. I wonder how that will play out if there is shooting?

How it plays out will depend on how fast the French sailors can get their white bed sheets up to the main deck. But that may not even be necessary, French Navy captains are probably issued a bundle of white flags before their ships go to sea.

[Rutles4Ever]

The Britons will quietly secure their release. Everyone's expecting the bombing to start, but this is not going to cause any military retaliation unless harm comes to them. At that point, all bets are off, but it's highly unlikely. It would take a greater act of treachery than arresting sailors.

[archy]

French Nuclear Carrier battle fleet

That scares me. Not militarily, but that the propeller might fall off, or that they'll create an international radioactive no-go zone when they scuttle it.

Do not insult the French Navy or the mighty warship Clemenceau, m'sieur, or you may suffer the consequences and become the target of a well-thrown bucket of rusty metal chips!.

[Shady]

Remember, too, that Ahmadinejad is coming to NYC Saturday. It would be great if we had the courage to "adopt" him as the new occupant of the special cell at Leavenworth.

[deaconjim]

Old habits are hard to break. Ahmadinejad started his political career taking hostages, and he may very well end it the same way.

[Christopher Lincoln]

Unless I've misunderstood, it's no longer a question whether we are going to war against Iran. The war has begun, by the choice of the Iranian government.

[archy]

Didn't Iran see what happened to Argentina? Don't mess with the UK.

Ya think? I'm not sure, that was then and this is now. No Iron Lady in the UK now.

One interesting little detail:

HMS Cornwall was launched in October 1985 and commissioned at Falmouth, Cornwall, in 1988 by Diana, the Princess of Wales.

Sometimes British national pride gets stirred by some awfully minor matters. And Diana was extremely popular with the British people.

[95 Bravo]

I should imagine the SAS is on alert for this one. They're perfectly capable of taking out the Iranian trash, if they're allowed to. Our involvement would probably be to provide logistical support. In any case, I hope somebody kicks Iran in the teeth for this!

[FDNYRHEROES]

What’s interesting is the recent arrival of the French Nuclear Carrier battle fleet to join up with our two battle carrier groups. I wonder how that will play out if there is shooting?

We may have to sink the French carrier battle fleet so it doesn't end up in the wrong hands...