[Carry_Okie]

Let's see, a United States Navy ship is under fire and refuses to return fire. Instead, "They ran away."

This is so stupid.

How about sending the pirates an engraved invitation? Or just hoist a white flag on the yard arm?

[BlueNgold]

It's a USNS vessel - government owned but not part of the combat fleet. They are not armed and do not maintain a full military crew. They actually have a Master with a military adviser, not a USN Captain.

The Military Sealift Command is there to support the U.S. Fleet - I repeat - they are NOT combat vessels.

[Peanut Gallery]

yeah, they ran away... That is how the media spins it. However, evasive maneuvering isn’t exactly running in cowardice. A supply ship is not supposed to be a combatant, so it doesn’t fight back because it really can’t. It isn’t equipped to return fire or anything else. That’s why you typically see these ships within a battle group.