U.S. Would Have Fired on The Iranians

UK Independent via. Hot Air ^

[Weight of Glory]

The executive officer - second-in-command on USS Underwood, the frigate working in the British-controlled task force with HMS Cornwall - said: “The unique US Navy rules of engagement say we not only have a right to self-defence but also an obligation to self-defence. They [the British] had every right in my mind and every justification to defend themselves rather than allow themselves to be taken. Our reaction was, ‘Why didn’t your guys defend themselves?’”…

[xjcsa]

Yes, I noticed how the sailors on the USS Cole fired on the explosive laden dinghy bearing down on them. /s/

The sailors on the USS Cole had NO ammunition in thier weapons.

And you don't think anything has changed since then?

[ASA Vet]

[Spktyr]

The British navy hasn't officially ruled the seas since WW2, and unofficially since WW1.

[Cooking101]

""Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting …"

The Europeans have gone sissy, even the once proud Brits. "De-escalatory"? "Don't want wars starting"? Note to Admiral West, you are already in a war. Not fighting back after you're already in a war is an act of cowardice, no matter how many words like "de-escalatory" you may invent.

[Publius6961]

BUMP!

[M203M4]

former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting … Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Sounds like ROE more appropriate for when passing through trusted allied waters...

[eeevil conservative]

Maybe these guys spent a bit too much time vacationing in France.....

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It was a British Admiral said that moderation in warfare is the height of folly.

I suppose that's why they didn't take U.S. sailors hostage.

[Armedanddangerous]

The Iranian Navy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_Iranian_Navy_Vessels

Such as it is..

[Enterprise]

Hey First High Lord mucky muck - one of our guys would have yelled: "I have not yet begun to de-escalate."

[gotribe]

American forces in Iraq now hold some 300 prisoners tied to Iran’s intelligence agencies, Pajamas Media learned from both diplomatic and military sources. This is believed, by both sources, to be a record number of prisoners tied to Iran. Virtually all were captured in the past two months.

One way to look at this is: the US wants to eliminate iranian backing of terrorists in Iraq. Another way to look at it is: US is starting to roll up iranian cells around the world in preparation for a strike on iran.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

They still shouldnt have one

[Boxsford]

lol!

[Weight of Glory]

Admiral Lord Nelson:

"England expects that every man will do his duty."

"You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king..."

[DogBarkTree]

It means that Horner is 2nd guessing the Brits. I have no doubt our guys would have had to get the OK to fire. By the time they got it they would have been surrounded like the Brits. Horner should have just STFU.

[A message]

Rather than roaring into action and sinking everything in sight we try to step back and that, of course, is why our chaps were, in effect, able to be captured and taken away.”

Lord Nelson is rolling over in his grave.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting …"

Yeah, that always works.

[alicewonders]

I guess the same rules of engagement don't apply to our border guards.

[Onelifetogive]

"Yesterday, the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, said British rules of engagement were “very much de-escalatory, because we don’t want wars starting..."

Ronald Reagan said something to the effect of "America's been in four wars during my lifetime and none of them were started because the enemy thought we were too strong."

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Our Brit pals know that if they got into it, we would have backed them 100% per-cent.

You cannot say the same about any other country, if we got into it.