The only nefarious activity was the Iranian RGs bushwhacking some “mall guard” RS sailors on a routine coastal transit.
They knew when they left port, they knew where they were going, they knew the RS ROE would turn a Mexican Standoff into an American Surrender.
And they as hell knew all about the Riverine Squadron, its boats, crews, SOPs etc. They have competent spies in every port in the PG. They are not going to just randomly and accidentally plan and execute an ambush on these hapless mall guard sailors on a routine transit. Make no mistake, this was an ambush. Well conceived, perfectly executed.
The Thinker piece today is a total joke on many levels. The “experts” quoted said that the Iranians probably mistook “Rivierine” (sic) for Marine. [Slapping head with both hands].
Literally, the “experts” cited, and the author, “don’t know SWCC from Shinola.”
So Iran slapped our Mall Security cop
just because they could,i.e. just eff’n with us ?
They were armed and had the duty to defend their vessels from being taken (by scuttling them themselves if necessary). They failed to discharge that duty
Some officer gave the order to surrender those vessels without a fight
Either the LT on the scene recieved and order to surrender his two boats or he took it upon himself to do so
I want to know which it was. If the LT recieved an order I want to know who gave it.
There needs to be an open congressional hearing on this, and an Article 32 investigation