[Mariner]

For discussion

[Citizen Tom Paine]

It has been a long time for me, but they should have .50 caliber air cooled machine guns in the armory and some stanchions on deck on which to mount them. They are very effective at short ranges.

While it is true that they do not have Seal teams on board, each ship should have a designated landing party, which under the rule what would a prudent seaman do under the same circumstances, should have additional experience with small arms. Personally, I would use something like the 3/ 50s to convince a pirate that Allah wanted to personally meet him.

[aps]

There may well be ex-Seals on board either vessel but performing other duties. During my brothers 20 years in the service, he knew some ex-Seals who were also trained as machinist mates. There were others in other capacities as well. He said that they were dual trained so that they could operate not only as a Seal but in other duties as required by the Navy (radar technician, machinst mate, electrician, etc).

[bergmeid]

I’m still not clear on the administration’s “desired outcome”. 1. Supposedly save the poor captain’s life (I assume) and/or 2. get the pirates arrested?? I mean, what do we care? Once we get the captain back, we blow them to kingdom come. Right? The pirates should know there is no way out unless they make it to shore somehow. So why wouldn’t they kill the captain? What are we promising them? An arrest by elders? And those talks have broken down? It must be me because I just can’t figure this out. This is one big clusterf**k.

[jveritas]

Since when the Navy Seals are tied up to a certain type of ships to be transported? This is the best special ops team in history and they can be deployed by Seal, Air, and Land (hence the name SEAL) without having one particular type of vessels to carry them. They operate hundreds of miles behind fortified enemy lines to accomplish the most difficult of all missions.

I am certain that they could have solved this situation in the first few hours form when it occurred if they were given the orders to do so but Obama the defeatist did not do it. If they were deployed and ordered to be in the sea close to this tiny pirate boat they would have freed the brave Captain and killed the pirates when the brave pirate attempted to flee. Again Obama the defeatist did not give such orders.

[Jeff Head]

The Bainbridge and the frigate both have helo pads. SEALS could have been flown onto either one of them, and their equipment as well, at any time since this situation developed.

The Bainbridge inparticular has signifiacnt facilities for them to be able to plan and deploy in this kind of a mission without an LHA or LHD on the scene.

Finally, without going into more detail, we have submariens in the IO AOO that can both embark and deploy SEAL teams. I would not be surprised to learn that one is alreayd on station.

So...having the Boxer or other large deck amphib there is nioce...but not necessary.

[calex59]

I don't know if you are unaware of the capability of the seals or just a troll who wants to apologize for Bozo's inactivity on this matter. 1:) The Boxer is already on site and has been. 2:)Seals can be deployed anywhere on short notice by Helicopter, not dropped into the sea but placed on any Naval craft that happens to be in that area. 3:)Seals could have ended this days ago with a happy ending but Bozo obviously has given the word to stand down.

Please, stop posting on every thread, and stop the vanities, that we should wait for the Boxer when she is there and we didn't need to wait for her to begin with!

[Doohickey]

They also have a 5”-50. Kills pirates dead.

[Kansas58]

[Rebelbase]

The bottom line on the outcome of this piracy rests solely in Obama’s hands.

[bergmeid]

Out of curiosity, does the lifeboat have a “door” just on one side or on both sides? Does anyone know?

[Rockingham]

Good post. The arrival of the Boxer greatly enhances our firepower and rescue capability. The larger question is what Obama will do.

[SampleMan]

You are forgetting that its not up to the military.

Our first Halfrican-American TOTUS won’t be shooting African-Africans as his first test in office. Especially over some rich white guy that’s been going where he doesn’t belong.

[VOA]

They do not have SEAL teams...nor even snipers...onboard.

I know I'm a never-served civilian under the influence of the
Tom Clancy-esque world-view...
but I was really bummed to learn that with assets like night-vision,
UAVs armed with guided weapons, and plenty of snipers that can
expertly employ .50 cal Barretts...
why on earth didn't the lifeboat get shot to the waterline
and/or smoked by a UAV while the good captain made his dash for freedom.
I suspect a display like that would have left the captain's
(eventual) two recapturers stunned and emptying their bowels in
the ocean waters.
But I guess Obama doesn't want to have such an environmental disaster.
(Yes, I'm being sarcastic.)

I know mine is a naive and ignorant point-of-view...
but the longer this drags on, the more I involuntarily recall
sad images of burned helicopters in the desert.
And of Jimmy Carter.

[org.whodat]

For self defense the OHP frigates are armed with one Mk15 mod 2 Phalanx CIWS anti-missile system, two Mk38 25mm Bushmaster guns and four M2 .50 caliber machine guns.

[org.whodat]

I posted a link for the weapons qualifications with the mounted fifty cals. on the USS Boxer.

[nufsed]

Tell me this ship isn’t named after who I think it was named after?

[Jeff Head]

Well, today's events just show that the SEALS have probably had a plan in place for some tiome and were waiting for the go ahead from above...my guess is that the tone of the negotiations and the refusal by the pirates and their representatives made it clear that the go ahead was necessary.

My guess is also that I would not be surprised to find that yesterdays manuever by the small craft from the Bainbridge was repeated to fix the attention of the pirates when the SEALS were in position to act.

[HiJinx]

Rather prophetic...

The Easter SEALS made themselves known today!

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Looks like this thread is now moot...

Captain jumps overboard, SEALs shoot pirates, official says