See #9.
“USS Whatever” is a commissioned warship, operated by United States Navy military enlisted sailors and commissioned officers, and armed.
“USNS Whatever” is a cargo ship, owned by the United States Navy, operated by civilian employees thereof, and unarmed.
And the cargo ship is sailing in pirate infested waters, with no escort and no military support craft in the area? Doesn't that seem the least bit ... oh, I don't know .... incompetent .... stupid .... dangerous?
I'm not a Navy member, but it would seem apparent to me that the US Navy knows this area is patrolled by pirates. They also should know that an unarmed Navy cargo ship is travelling though these wates. Therefore, one could be led to summise that the Navy battleships in the area would keep an 'eye' on an unarmed Navy asset - and intercede any attack on a Navy vessel - out of principle if nothing else.
I'd be really curious as to the Admiral's explaination as to why nothing, apparently was done. If the Navy cargo ship was unable to flee the pirates - do you suppose having the pirates take over a Navy vessel would be just a wee bit embarassing? Do you think the Navy sailors upon that vessel would be killed, in retaliation of our killing of some pirates? Am I the only one that sees the Navy getting caught with their pants around their ankles?