Posted on 04/05/2009 3:56:10 AM PDT by Clive
OTTAWA - The Canadian warship HMCS Winnipeg has thwarted a probable pirate attack in the Arabian Sea.
The ship is currently participating in a NATO led counter-piracy mission known as Operation Allied Protector.
While engaging in escort duties, military officials say Winnipeg observed several small skiffs approaching the merchant vessel Pacific Opal.
The Pacific Opal radioed for help and Winnipeg dispatched a Sea King helicopter, causing the pirates to withdraw.
Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, Commander of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, said the incident "highlights the importance of our mission and the efforts to make a difference with our coalition partners in the fight against piracy and international terrorism."
Winnipeg with a crew of approximately 240 officers and non-commissioned members, is based at Esquimalt, B.C..
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yeeeaarrrgggghhh
Amazing how the sight of a red maple leaf can turn a terrorist/pirates heart to mush...
“That was easyyy!!! Lets turn aboot and do it again!”
Way to go Canada!!! Good show!!!
What’s the correct terminology for loading up an innocent looking freighter with weapons and marines in an effort to catch the pirates in the act of pirating?
What ever the term for that is, that’s what we should be doing.
Oh, was that an operation under the guise of the Global War on Terror???
Or an Overseas Contingency Operation???
I just don’t know, so many things getting watered down these days...It’s confusing...;-)
Q-ship
Thi story would have sounded much better had they sunk those skiffs. Turning them around means they will be back another day for another ship.
Interesting. Started in WWI with the intent to lure U-boats into making surface attacks.
Their codename referred to the vessels' home port, Queenstown, in Ireland[1]. These would be known to the Germans as a U-Boot-Falle ("U-boat trap"). The Q-ship would pose as an easy target for the U-boat but in fact carry hidden armament. A typical Q-ship would be an old-looking tramp steamer calmly sailing alone near an area where a U-boat was reported to be operating. By posing as a suitable target for the use of the U-boat's deck gun, the Q-ship would encourage the U-boat captain to bring his vessel to the surface rather than use one of his expensive torpedoes, which were in short supply. The cargoes of the Q-ships would be wooden caskets and wood (e.g., balsa or cork) so even if torpedoed they would stay afloat, encouraging the U-boat to surface and use its gun. If necessary the crew could even stage an "abandon ship" routine. Once the U boat was in a suitable position the Q-ship would change rapidly, false panels would drop to reveal the hidden guns which would start firing. At the same time the White Ensign (Royal Navy flag) would be raised. With the element of surprise the U-boat could be quickly overwhelmed.
That's definitely what we should be doing against these pirates. And blasting them to Kingdom Come as part of the last-minute surprise.
And yes, that's exactly what needs to be done. Along with having the will to kill pirates, instead of worrying about according them full due process and rights as if they were citizens of the civilized world.
That’s what I get for posting without looking at the rest of the thread.
woot
Decoy? Honey Pot? Either one works.
Moose-limb baiting.
A link:
Canadian warship thwarts likely pirate attack in Arabian Sea
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/04/05/9010391-cp.html
The Sea Kings are older than the crews flying them.
In 1992 the Tory government of Brian Mulroney had put out a contract for EH101 (designated as CH149 Cormorant) to replace the Sea Kings. The Grits described the aircraft as "Cadillacs" and promised, in their famous 1993 campaign "Red Book" that they would cancel the contract. This was the only promise in the Red Book that the Grits kept. Canada paid half a billion dollars in cancellation penalties without a single aircraft to show for it.
It was not until 2004 that the Grits put out a new contract to replace the Sea Kings with a military version of the civilian Sikorski S-92. The new bird is designated as CH148 Cyclone. Sikorsky also was granted a contract to modify the chopper decks on the frigates. Sikorsky keeps postponing the delivery dates.
Canada currently CH149 Cormorants purchased in 1998 for SAR duties to replace the CH-113 Labrador. The Canadian Forces would have preferred to have the same aircraft for SAR and for the frigates (albeit with different configurations) but politics dictated otherwise.
Thank you for posting the hyperlink. I inadvertently omitted it from my posting. I had not yet had my morning tea and scones.
Not exactly under the same circumstances, but still, I ask you...
which country has a greater maritime tradition?
Cheers!
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