In order to do anything in the Gulf of Aden, you have to be out there, visible and a sitting/moving duck. Once the Allies get off their asses and start a 24/7 UAV aerial surveillance and attack program, it will be easier to spot boats from Somalia moving out beyond traditional fishing grounds.
There have been no reports of allied naval operations against the pirates which have resulted in them being killed and captured despite a report today that they have been successful in preventing more hijackings. That doesn’t sound right because at least 4 ships were reported seized by pirates within the last few weeks, and ransoms paid on at least one major tanker.
Now, all the above is predicated on no knowing what our Special Ops guys are doing in Somalia and Yemen, as well as at sea, but until I see the bodies floating in the Gulf, I’ll be skeptical.
UAVs give us the ability to maintenance a massive aerial surveillance program at less cost than it does for deploying ships who never seem to be in the right place at the right time.
This sounds more like an Al Qaeda propaganda ploy to shift attention away from the fact that their operatives in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan are getting slammed (literally, by JDAMS and Hellfire missiles) as well as getting shot or captured.
Unfortunately our military commanders and political military leaders/advisors are a bunch of chickenshits and spent more time trying to preserve their jobs (Gates, Mullens, Casey, Jones, and Blair/Brennan - on the intelligence side) than to take the fight to the enemy and to destroy them.
The Rules of Engagement are horrible and responsible for getting our soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Emails I’ve gotten thru friends from soldiers in the field, speak of a demoralization among the troops because their commanders are often afraid to bring down the wrath of God on legitimate targets because of the possibility that civilians might be nearby.
Tough shit. That’s war. Kill the enemy and you won’t have to worry about civilian casualties.
Time that our leaders of all stripes remember that we are at war, and act like it.
Sounds like they want to start a war.
The only way they could do this concievably is though mining the strait, US 5th fleet might have something to say about that, and its not likely Saudi Arabia is going to be happy with it either. AQ is going to have a hard time making good on this threat.
This is great news!
Now, women and chlidren (those without bomb belts), start to move away from the area, as the fiery incoming will turn your home and country into rubble.
Oh wait a moment!
We forgot that this is a Zer0 administration!
Women and children, you have a few more years before you need to move out. Meanwhile, give a shout out for Hitlery, our SOS, whilst she spews more bullsh1t for you peons to endure your torture!
Interesting, wrote a graduate academic paper on chokepoint terrorism in the Gulf of Aden region initiated by al Qaeda last year. Very interesting. Bookmarked.
do these fricken ragheads have any idea that the only reason they or any of their pathetic relations are alive is because we are showing the restraint of civilized people? Do they have any idea what will happen to them and all their little rathole countries and including the centers of the heathen belief if they ever really piss us off? Take your best shot you sand vermin , we are waiting to wipe you off the face of the planet and totally eradicate you and all your ilk from the fabric of humanity . The world will be so much better off without any of you .
Been there...U.S.S. Anchorage LSD-36; March, 1980.