The pirates formerly not afraid of the Americans
Now repirationally challenged.
Posted on 04/12/2009 11:00:01 AM PDT by bimboeruption
MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) - An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said. One of the pirates was wounded and in custody after a swift firefight, the official said.
Capt. Richard Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.
The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.
"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf. He said he organized initial contacts between the elders and the Americans.
Two other Somalis, one involved in the negotiations and another in contact with the pirates, also said the talks collapsed because of the U.S. insistence that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.
Phillips' crew of 19 American sailors reached safe harbor in Kenya's northeast port of Mombasa on Saturday night under guard of U.S. Navy Seals, exhilarated by their freedom but mourning the absence of Phillips.
Crew members said their ordeal had begun with the Somali pirates hauling themselves up from a small boat bobbing on the surface of the Indian Ocean far below.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Breaking: American Captain Freed
Over 400 comments.
The pirates formerly not afraid of the Americans
Now repirationally challenged.
Good Happens!
They Sealed the deal with a good thwack or two, just like old times!
Easter Blessings to the Captain and family and crew.
With due respect, that's not true. Destroyers (Bainbridge) don't normally carry SEAL units, neither do Frigates (Halyburton). If the reports are true, the SEALS had to be flown in. There are not that many SEAL units to be stationed on every Navy vessel.
“I just heard on FOX that the UN prohibits merchant ships from protecting themselves.”
It’s an insurance thing.
“Injured/captured pirate may be heading to USA to face trial....again Obama who will take sole credit...”
Send the Pirate to Gitmo.
You said — I think we ought to pulverize and flush them while their boat is approaching. If we miss that opportunity, then at least blast them into chum while they’re ‘hauling themselves up onto our ship, no?
—
What? With fire hoses... LOL...
From AP:
US sea capt. freed from pirates in swift firefight
"An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a swift firefight that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, U.S. officials said."
From Reuters:
US captain held by Somali pirates is freed -Navy
"He had no information on Phillips' physical condition and could not confirm a CNN report that three of four pirates holding the captain had been killed.
Did you find ay that said the pirates died?
>> If Obama says he’s proud of the Navy I’ll faint.
*********************
Dont kid yourself, he’s in mourning for the dead muslims. <<
Obama is totally screwed now. How can he come out and praise our NAVY’s admirable handling of this situation and the Captain’s unbelievable bravery, when three of his “skinny” homeboys are gone to Davey Jones’ Locker?
Given the interminable length of time it took to resolve this situation favorably, I’m leaning toward the theory that some Naval officer put his career on the line today by exercising some command initiative on the ground (despite orders from Bambi to stand down).
I’m also wondering if that officer (bless him, whoever he is) made that call when the good Captain made his second escape. My guess is that he did.
You said — I don’t understand it either. Is there a law prohibiting self-defense on the high seas?
—
Well, you’ll have to talk to the President of the company about that, since he announced a few days ago that their crews are not allowed to use anything but fire hoses... LOL...
Excellent News! Thank God!
Semper Fi,
Kelly
If this was Bush, at tomorrows news conference David Gregory would ask, “why did it take 5 days before you did anything?”
With ALL due respect, I don't think obami had anything to do with this. Because of his inexperience, I believe he left it up to the military professionals. I can actually visualize "Rahm" (chief of staff) briefing him, and obami saying let the military deal with it, it's not on my nation-killing agenda. Remember, he is a "community organizer" who has NO idea how the military works, or anything else for that matter.
Equip the ships with sensors so that grappling hooks can be detected. Cut their ropes while they are ascending. Then use a grapping hook in reverse - an electrified chain (last few links insulated) - to haul dinghy until arresting authority can arrive and take care of the leftovers.
Obama's gonna lose points with the left and the rest of the moonbat universe for that...and gain NONE with us.
"US commandos freed hero Capt. Richard Phillips today and killed most of the pirates holding him hostage in a dramatic end to the four-day high seas standoff that riveted the world."
LGF is a Obama Cheerleader blog, complete with hatred of Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, and Christian bigotry.
Yes Excellent News...The cowards in Washington better not take the credit! SEMPER FI!!!!
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