Posted on 04/10/2009 5:06:42 AM PDT by IrishMike
American Captain Tries Daring Escape from Somali Pirates
Both Sides Send Reinforcements to Pirate Standoff
The American captain being held hostage by Somali pirates dove into the water during the night in an attempt to escape, but was quickly recaptured, Defense Department officials said today.
The daring overnight escape attempt by Capt. Richard Phillips was the Vermont sailor's latest bit of heroics in the four day old drama on the high seas 300 miles from the nearest coastline.
Phillips had earlier volunteered to be a hostage after his unarmed men took back their freighter, the Maersk Alabama, from the pirates. The captain stepped forward to be a hostage to avoid a bloody battle with the gun toting pirates.
Phillips, 53, didn't get far in his effort to single handedly end the standoff. He was quickly recaptured by the four pirates in the 28-foot open lifeboat. The pirates, out of gas but armed with AK-47 rifles, insist on taking Phillips back to Somalia to hold him for ransom.
Tensions escalated around the little boat today with both sides sending reinforcements to the scene.
The U.S. destroyer Bainbridge has been keeping an eye on the four pirates in recent days and is being joined by another warship, the Halyburton, which carries two helicopters.
The pirates also claim to be sending reinforcements, hijacked ships with their captured crews as human shields.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I think it’s time for snipers. Seriously.
What now, Barry?
A Mullah Omar moment perhaps?
An easy night job for SEALS.
From another thread, apparently Obama has given the order for the Navy NOT to shoot, and is NOT allowing the SEALs into the water.
My plan:
Fly in a bunch of those seized counterfeit Korean 100s we have.
Pay them off.
Meanwhile, follow the bunch back to their base by satillite.
When they arrive, meet them with a B-52 dropping 100+ 500lb iron bombs in a mini Ark Light.
Case closed...message sent and received.
He’s still trying to figure a response to North Korea’s missile launch.
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.
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He needs a juice man, drink a little stimulus in the morning !
The early news said the pirates and the Captain were now in a craft with a “roof” so they are hidden somewhat from sharpshooters.
It would seem to be in the pirates’ best interest to keep that Captain alive - he is their ticket to money and escape - if something happens to him - they are all dead.
He is the only reason they are still breathing.
Since the hostages are non-US, it’s U.N. time. The circus just grew to Barnum and Bailey size.
The life boat is an enclosed capsule. No clear shot.
If Capt. Richard Phillips survives this, we need to see how he swings politically. He might be Presidential material.
The "Halyburton"?? That name is guaranteed to make the nutroots freak out.
If nothing else, it is time to end this MUSLIM piracy BS once and for all, and now is the time and place. An American crew, don’t know the ship registry, but Hillary said and American flag carrier so the quote is her’s, taken on the high seas in violation of international law.
If this President does not show he has a pair in this act of piracy, can we know, now and forever just what an unprepaired boob we have at the helm. How about taking a lesson from the crew of the ship for crying out loud. I want to hear the whole story of how they took the ship back. I sure it will be interesting.
I believe mapping satellites continually come and go, making tracking difficult, but a submarine could follow, and shoot a torpedo in a convenient place.
Call in the SEALS. A couple of strategically placed holes in the boat - it sinks.....Like shooting fish in a barrel.....red
The writer states...He was quickly recaptured by the four pirates in the 28-foot open lifeboat. Are you positive this is an enclosed capsule?
USS Halyburton (FFG-40)
Not for self, but for Country
Namesake: Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class William D. Halyburton, Jr.
Laid down: 26 September 1980
Launched: 13 October 1981
Commissioned: 7 January 1984
Homeport: Mayport, Florida
Motto: Non sibi, sed Patria (Not for self, but for Country)
Fate: Active in service as of 2009[update]
General characteristics
Class and type: Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
Displacement: 4,100 tons (4,170 t) full load
Length: 453 ft (138.1 m), overall
Beam: 45 ft (13.7 m)
Draught: 22 ft (6.7 m)
Propulsion: 2 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines generating 41,000 shp (31 MW) through a single shaft and variable pitch propeller; 2 x Auxiliary Propulsion Units, 350 hp (.25 MW) retractable electric azipods for maneuvering and docking.
Speed: 29+ knots (54+ km/h)
Range: 5,000 nm (9,300 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement: 15 officers and 190 enlisted, plus SH-60 LAMPS detachment of roughly six officer pilots and 15 enlisted maintainers
Sensors and
processing systems: AN/SPS-49 air-search radar
AN/SPS-55 surface-search radar
CAS and STIR fire-control radar
AN/SQS-56 sonar.
Electronic warfare
and decoys: AN/SLQ-32
Armament: As built:
One OTO Melara Mk 75 76 mm/62 caliber naval gun
two Mk 32 triple-tube (324 mm) launchers for Mark 46 torpedoes
one Vulcan Phalanx CIWS; four .50-cal (12.7 mm) machine guns.
one Mk 13 Mod 4 single-arm launcher for Harpoon anti-ship missiles and SM-1MR Standard anti-ship/air missiles (40 round magazine)
Note: As of 2004, Mk13 systems removed from all active US vessels of this class.
Aircraft carried: 2 × SH-60 LAMPS III helicopters
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