http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7989474.stm
Posted on 04/08/2009 6:28:05 PM PDT by tsmith130
The U.S. is closing in on pirates that hijacked a U.S.-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia. According to a spokesman for the owner of the Maersk Alabama, which had been hijacked by pirates before American crew members were able to regain control of the vessel Wednesday, a U.S. Navy warship arrived at the scene Wednesday night.
The ship's captain still is being held hostage on a smaller boat.
Family members said Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of the crew. "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for world action to "end the scourge of piracy" as U.S. warships raced to confront the pirates.
"We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely," Clinton said. "Specifically, we are now focused on this particular act of piracy and the seizure of a ship that carries 21 American citizens.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
When you use a flame thrower, toast most of the goons to a deadly crisp as they are climbing on board. Allow a couple of them to escape with lightly barbequed injuries so as to get the word out.
I agree with the nuke restraint, but I wouldn't care what people with half a brain think. They did, however, elect the current sitting president 5 months ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7989474.stm
I thought it was Stephen Decatur.
I say we take off and nuke the whole site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure...
I say we take off and nuke the whole site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure...
Yes because its a strait there is much more traffic.
If it was possible there should be a massive naval presence set up along the Somali coast, a Marines support ship with Harriers, fast attack boats, helos and unmanned aircraft which would probably be the best option, they can swoop in out of the sun and do missile attacks.
IF the US were to set up operations here it would dramatically improve our image.
We should consider in the very near future immediately after the tea parties a movement to wage war against pirates, call it a pirate party, or a Walking the Plank Party, America will not be subjugated.
A four-man squad of marines would do the trick. They would only be needed for a short nav time.
I think the video of a SAW tearing a boat apart would be worth watching.
Fox is saying that that the ship owners have told the Navy to stand down, they are going to pay the ransom for the captain, possibly $10 million.
WTF?
Loose lips sink ships.
Any outcome other than the arrest/death of all the pirates in this case = epic Obama fail.
I wish their was a bounty, I know a few friends that can get some hardware lined up like for starters a modified motor sailor yacht that had a dual power engine pack, slow running diesel for cruise and a high speed turbine for flank speed.
And then I would use a little bit borrowed from one of my favorite authors Clive Cussler and make the boat hijack proof, and of course hidden offensive weapons. Actually he has a current hardcover called “Corsair” that opens with an encounter with Somali pirates.
A junk tramp steamer with the latest in firepower and speed but looks like a bucket of rust.
Sounds like a plan.
I love to plan, they call me the McGuyver at The Junkyard War at work.
The Gulf of Aden is one of, if not the busiest, shipping lanes in the world. Like Wille Sutton said...
a phalanx system would be my favorite.
I would nuke em but then for those a little more restrained there is always MOABs, and a plethora more of what is still in our arsenal.
This makes me think of high speed cigarette boats, except they have missile launchers and .50cal.
These are usually small boats operating from a “mother” ship.
An Ohio class sub with a half dozen souped up PWCs that can be launched from a piggyback underwater “hanger” would be a plan, the boomers are a hole in the water and there is “equipment” on them recently that allows marines or SEALs to egress like with an underwater delivery device. A military grade PWC with an offensive weapon would be one way to go about this, or have a lighter than air platform on station and use remote operated aircraft. It would have better radar coverage weather permitting.
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