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 ...
ODC = ODS
I’d say Eyl is on the list..
“do you remember when we met in Palm Springs to impeach clintoon? “
Sure do, where have you been lately?
United States Navy SEALs Creed
In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life. I am that man.
My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.
My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.
I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.
We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.
I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.
We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.
We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and
violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.
Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my
every deed. I will not fail.
Just heard that too. Amazing.
All true. But we all need to understand that he'll take credit for this. It's just part of the President's privilege. If this had ended poorly we'd all be giving him the blame for it. That too, is all part of the game. Fortunately, Obama (for now) has a military that is capable. We know who to thank.
Yeah, I almost tossed my laptop through the tv when the beeyotch from NBC asked the questions she did, first about why the Navy didn’t do anything to protect the crew when they were harassed 24 hours before they were hijacked, and then again about what would happen with the captured pirate and the remains of the other 3.
Man oh man, that was sick. Whoever said “there’s no such thing as a stupid question” has never seen a press conference.
Actually Obama twice authorized the USE of force.
here is what appeared on npr during the Admirals interrogation by the press :
Officer: Split-second decision to fire on pirates
from The Associated Press
WASHINGTON April 12, 2009, 04:42 pm ET · A U.S. military official says Navy Seals and other officers opened fire on three pirates when a Navy commander made a split-second decision that an American hostage’s life was in danger.
Vice Adm. Bill Gortney also says the pirates made a ransom demand for the release of Capt. Richard Phillips.
Gortney says the pirates threatened throughout the ordeal to kill Phillips. Gortney says the pirates were armed with AK-47s and small-caliber pistols, and were pointing the AK-47s at the captain.
Gortney says the commander of the nearby USS Bainbridge believed Phillips was in “imminent danger” when he ordered sailors to fire at the armed pirates.
Gortney says the White House had given “very clear guidance and authority” that if any time the commander Capt. Phillips’ life was in danger to take action to make sure it was not
Gortney spoke in a telephone conference call from Bahrain. He is the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102865874
Feed the sharks...good for the environment.
Amen.
Adm. Gortney displayed much more patience towards those buzzards than I would have. He’s a class act.
There is no such thing as “war” in Obama’s mind... Only crime.
Why, did he DO something? Or was it the NAVY?
Again, the good people will carry this POS through bad times because it’s just in them to do so.
Credit—ha! Present, eating pizza and picking up doggie.
Hey, I’m not giving him any more credit then what our last prez got. Never will.
He’s a party going, pot smoking puppet.
I watched most of it—one of the journalists asked if all this happened because Obama ordered it—the admiral giving the phone interview said yes—a moment later another reporter clarified (not verbatim)—”But isn’t there always standing orders from the White House (not specifically because Obama called the Bainbridge and ordered an assault or attack) that if the hostage/s are in danger, that you are allowed to do whatever is necessary to rescue them?”
“Yes. The President did not specifically order this action...” So Obama had NOTHING to do with Captain Phillips’ rescue after all!
SHAME ON HIM.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.