Somali pirates hijack ship; 20 Americans aboard
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: bristol
Age: 56
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Double Zero
The book blackhawk down, is indeed a good read. There is also a documentary/reconstruction called "the true story of blackhawk down" which is also very good, and is very factual. I have seen the film, and while it is obviously a "film" meant for audiences, there are also some very good moments included. One scene sticks in my mind, where one of the rebels (how they are described in the film, despite being in their own country) is talking to a captured pilot. The rebels case for hating Americans seems perfectly clear and sensible* while the US pilot has no good reason for being there**
*This does not mean that I agree with him.
**I'm not suggesting that any military person always thinks that they have a just reason for what they do (different from still always doing your best though), or that, even if you did have a good reason, then this may not be the ideal time to start the debate
THREAD DRIFT
Other good documentary/reconstructions to look out for are: the true story of BAT 21, which is more dramatic than the film, even though is it factual, and of course is really a quite different story; Operation Anaconda, the battle for Robert's ridge.
THREAD DRIFT OFF
*This does not mean that I agree with him.
**I'm not suggesting that any military person always thinks that they have a just reason for what they do (different from still always doing your best though), or that, even if you did have a good reason, then this may not be the ideal time to start the debate
THREAD DRIFT
Other good documentary/reconstructions to look out for are: the true story of BAT 21, which is more dramatic than the film, even though is it factual, and of course is really a quite different story; Operation Anaconda, the battle for Robert's ridge.
THREAD DRIFT OFF
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: firmly on dry land
Age: 81
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do hope that you, dustona twerp, are not invoved in real fissticuffs nor in the policy pertaining to them. Admirable words but totally unrealistic. They belong to the University debating lobbies where it is well understood that they have no place in the real world.
An extension of the former method would be to shoot up every small high-speed craft that was clearly not fishing. The alternative is to mark every such vessel and place defensive teams on ships in the immediate vicinity.
The next interesting thing is what they do with their prisoner. Diego Garcia would seem a good spot. If no charges are prefered then the prisoner would be free to make his own way home
Well, four more ships hijacked in the last 48 hours. On one 22 Filipino seamen who I doubt will get the same attention as the US crew. Whatever.
I have read BHD and a hell of a lot of other bewks. For all the good it has done me. Sarcasm intended.
Many of the ideas on here (and note I am not wholly against using force against people who threaten or harm others especially innocent others) are based firmly on the premise 'It is a nice feeling from far away to think of shooting stuff and turning people into mince; especially when I have minimal knowledge or experience of the situation - for surely this would make it all better.'
Well - it doesn't - not by itself and barring a massive increase in military forces and a massive increase in control of shipping the pirates will still find rich pickings and the pirates bosses will get even more $$$. So unless we can find a way to deal with Somalia - I predict this carrying on with a good while with an increase in this 'collateral damage' - which is perfectly OK of course unless it is our collateral damage.
I have read BHD and a hell of a lot of other bewks. For all the good it has done me. Sarcasm intended.
Many of the ideas on here (and note I am not wholly against using force against people who threaten or harm others especially innocent others) are based firmly on the premise 'It is a nice feeling from far away to think of shooting stuff and turning people into mince; especially when I have minimal knowledge or experience of the situation - for surely this would make it all better.'
Well - it doesn't - not by itself and barring a massive increase in military forces and a massive increase in control of shipping the pirates will still find rich pickings and the pirates bosses will get even more $$$. So unless we can find a way to deal with Somalia - I predict this carrying on with a good while with an increase in this 'collateral damage' - which is perfectly OK of course unless it is our collateral damage.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Yorkshire
Age: 82
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LD
Please enlighten us as to the extent of your own personal knowledge or experience of the situation which renders your opinions so superior to ours. And if, as you say, "I am not wholly against using force against people who threaten or harm others especially innocent others", then what is your problem? Is it that they were not mirandarized first? Perhaps the Seals didn't shout "halt three times or I fire" before pulling the trigger.
There is a serious failure of logic in your posts, Toad, though your heart is in the right place.
'It is a nice feeling from far away to think of shooting stuff and turning people into mince; especially when I have minimal knowledge or experience of the situation - for surely this would make it all better.'
There is a serious failure of logic in your posts, Toad, though your heart is in the right place.
Last edited by Clockwork Mouse; 14th Apr 2009 at 16:03.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sandhurst
Age: 50
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are there any E-boats or PT boats still lying around, could they not be dusted off and given a lick of paint?
or invest in a few of these?
YouTube - UK Royal Marines testing Combat boat 90
Is there any international law to stop western navies from patrolling the route and running a convoy system? Surely the millions it would cost would be far less than the money lost to the Pirates?
or invest in a few of these?
YouTube - UK Royal Marines testing Combat boat 90
Is there any international law to stop western navies from patrolling the route and running a convoy system? Surely the millions it would cost would be far less than the money lost to the Pirates?
eastern wiseguy,
Excellent logic, all except for that tiny little annoying factoid of all those RUSSIAN hostages currently held by the Pirates.....................................
Excellent logic, all except for that tiny little annoying factoid of all those RUSSIAN hostages currently held by the Pirates.....................................
There is a serious failure of logic in your posts
So my logic is flawed is it?
Pentagon looks to move battle against pirates ashore - CNN.com
Pentagon planners are preparing a variety of options for dealing with Somali pirates, and a United Nations resolution gives them the authority to conduct operations inside Somalia.
"The ultimate solution for piracy is on land," said Vice Adm. William Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Combined Maritime Forces.
"Piracy around the world stems from activity where there is lawlessness, lack of governance, economic instability; things of that nature. And wherever you have that, you're going to have criminal activity at sea," he said at a Monday briefing.
"The ultimate solution for piracy is on land," said Vice Adm. William Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the Combined Maritime Forces.
"Piracy around the world stems from activity where there is lawlessness, lack of governance, economic instability; things of that nature. And wherever you have that, you're going to have criminal activity at sea," he said at a Monday briefing.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday the military alone can't solve the problem.
"There is no purely military solution to it," he said at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Virginia. "And as long as you've got this incredible number of poor people and the risks are relatively small, there's really no way in my view to control it unless you get something on land that begins to change the equation for these kids."
The fight at sea can be treacherous. The area involved off the coasts of Somalia and Kenya, including the Gulf of Aden, is more than 1.1 million square miles -- four times the size of the state of Texas.
The military has aerial surveillance and unmanned drones, but even a limited strike risks injuring Somali civilians.
"There is no purely military solution to it," he said at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Virginia. "And as long as you've got this incredible number of poor people and the risks are relatively small, there's really no way in my view to control it unless you get something on land that begins to change the equation for these kids."
The fight at sea can be treacherous. The area involved off the coasts of Somalia and Kenya, including the Gulf of Aden, is more than 1.1 million square miles -- four times the size of the state of Texas.
The military has aerial surveillance and unmanned drones, but even a limited strike risks injuring Somali civilians.
HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
Why Somali piracy is booming - by former hostage victim - Telegraph
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA
Age: 60
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With the accent, I realize you are at a cultural disadvantage, but
is actually pronounced "Yee haw, let's go shoot me some pirates."
Words matter...
apart from not shouting 'Yee Haa lets go shoot me some pirates'.
Words matter...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brickhistory,
I suspect LT thinks no-one else here has ever considered the negative points of military action, and has not noticed almost everyone has said any violent act/s are a last resort, either during sorting out Somalia politically or simply because that appears impossible.
He also thinks we're all armchair reactionaries with no experience.
I completely admit I have never been to war personally.
I have 'only' been present when 5 people died , on 4 separate occasions; they were all British, working as either Test Pilots or engineers, trying to develop defences for our countries.
It might also be of interest to Load Toad to know that when presented with a particularly nasty anti-personnel weapon ( hard to believe I know, but this while militarily effective would have been, and it was not explosive, chemical or bacteriological ! ) - we and the test range staff basically refused and said it was a step too far.
I am of course certain that Al Queda & the Somali's have the same principles.
Meanwhile, remember, pirates have mothers & womenfolk too; so bring plenty of ammo' !
I suspect LT thinks no-one else here has ever considered the negative points of military action, and has not noticed almost everyone has said any violent act/s are a last resort, either during sorting out Somalia politically or simply because that appears impossible.
He also thinks we're all armchair reactionaries with no experience.
I completely admit I have never been to war personally.
I have 'only' been present when 5 people died , on 4 separate occasions; they were all British, working as either Test Pilots or engineers, trying to develop defences for our countries.
It might also be of interest to Load Toad to know that when presented with a particularly nasty anti-personnel weapon ( hard to believe I know, but this while militarily effective would have been, and it was not explosive, chemical or bacteriological ! ) - we and the test range staff basically refused and said it was a step too far.
I am of course certain that Al Queda & the Somali's have the same principles.
Meanwhile, remember, pirates have mothers & womenfolk too; so bring plenty of ammo' !
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All opinions are, I'm sure welcome, it's that which provokes discussion. The fact that we do not all agree merely mirrors life in general.
I cannot see what is wrong with
nor do I consider it B/S. I also believe I should be able to "blow up" the criminal who breaks into my house and threatens me and my family, but that's another discussion.
On the more practical side why do the shipping companies not put armed personnel on their ships (I know - it costs)
If AQ are proven to be the main beneficiaries of the piracy then perhaps the "war on terror" be expanded and the "good" guys provide a significant naval and air force operation to cover this undeniably large area. With regard the cost it could be offset against the huge cost of the often pointless exercises, and would provide realistic and more productive training-wouldn't it?
I do not argue or disagree with the experts with regard the bigger picture, but we all know that taking action inside Somalia is just not going to happen, however taking out the pirates and their mother ships might just make a difference.
Only my thoughts, not a Staff College submission.
I cannot see what is wrong with
'Blow 'em up and let god decide'
On the more practical side why do the shipping companies not put armed personnel on their ships (I know - it costs)
If AQ are proven to be the main beneficiaries of the piracy then perhaps the "war on terror" be expanded and the "good" guys provide a significant naval and air force operation to cover this undeniably large area. With regard the cost it could be offset against the huge cost of the often pointless exercises, and would provide realistic and more productive training-wouldn't it?
I do not argue or disagree with the experts with regard the bigger picture, but we all know that taking action inside Somalia is just not going to happen, however taking out the pirates and their mother ships might just make a difference.
Only my thoughts, not a Staff College submission.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Wiltshire/Quadra Is. BC
Age: 77
Posts: 38
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Would have thought just the job for a US Fleet "Carrier Task Force" or three. No idea of the return range of carrier fighter aircraft these days? Presumably the E-2 Hawkeye would come to star - turn around the Theodore Roosevelt?!
Rod.
Rod.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is this the way to do it?
http://piratebook.*************/2009...e-germany.html
Modern Day Pirate Tales
Notes on the world of piracy from journalist Daniel Sekulich.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Somali "pirate" threatens to sue Germany
The ongoing issue of how to effectively prosecute those individuals suspected of having committed piracy on the high seas has had an odd twist added to things. According to EUbusiness.com, a Somali identified as Ali Mohamed A.D. had his lawyer file a lawsuit in Germany on Tuesday for, "what he called his inhumane treatment since being handed over to Kenyan authorities", according to court documents. His lawyer, Oliver Wallasch, is said to be seeking 10,000 Euros ($13,300 US) from the German government for damages incurred after his transfer to Kenya.
Ali Mohamed A.D. was one of nine suspected pirates captured by the German navy after a March 3 incident involving the MV Courier, a freighter owned by a shipping firm based out of Hamburg. As detailed by Speigel Online, the ship was sailing about 57 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast en route from Bremen to the UAE when it was approached by a speedboat. After taking evasive manoeuvres, individuals in the small craft opened fire on the Courier with automatic weapons and a bazooka. Though the attackers failed to stop the ship, they continued their aggressive actions until an American helicopter - responding to the freighter's Mayday - arrived on the scene and the skiff broke off its attack and headed towards Somalia.
As the Spiegel report continues: "The German frigate Rheinland-Pfalz, alarmed by the mayday call, had also sent a helicopter. The German chopper shot two salvos across the bow of the presumed pirates, but the bandits were not impressed. Only when the frigate approached close to their skiff did the Somalis surrender. After being taken into custody, the group's leader told the Germans that he was a human trafficker from Somalia, and that the weapons were for 'self-defense'."
The Somalis were later handed over to Kenyan authorities for prosecution, possibly sparing Germany the problem of how to handle the legal end of things themselves when it comes to piracy. But if they hoped they'd heard the last from the Courier's attackers, this lawsuit proves otherwise.
Ali Mohamed A.D. denies involvement in piracy in his lawsuit, which he bases on the deprivations that may await him in the Kenyan prison system. Jails like the Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa are noted for their harsh conditions, though one has to wonder whether Ali Mohamed A.D. considered the possibility he'd end up in such a place before he set out with weapons to attack a merchant vessel.
His lawyer is likely looking at that the fact the commander of the Rheinland-Pfalz may have overlooked a crucial aspect of a criminal investigation: the securing of evidence necessary to prove the allegations. As Spiegel says about what happend after the Somali suspects were apprehended, "The frigate captain then proceeded to demonstrate that the German navy, though effective at sea, is relatively unversed in the requirements of modern criminal law. The crew was taken into custody, the skiff was searched, and the weapons found in it were seized and then sunk in the ocean - for security reasons, as the captain put it. Since then, the most important pieces of evidence - three bazookas, a Tokarev pistol, a carbine and a machine gun - have been lying on the seafloor of the Gulf of Aden, at an estimated depth of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). The frigate captain's unauthorized disposal of the pirates' weapons has led to bad blood between the German government and the Kenyan judiciary. 'The criticism was repeatedly made that important items used in the crime - in other words, the weapons used - where thrown into the ocean,' read a cable from the German Embassy in Kenya." Oops.
Germany is not the only nation worrying about what to do with pirates once captured, and we've yet to find out what will become of the surviving Somali captor of the Maersk Alabama's captain, Richard Phillips. I hope the U.S. takes a more thorough approach in order to bring the full weight of the law against the suspected pirate. But I can't help but feel that we'll see more of these frivolous lawsuits as more pirates are apprehended.
Addendum: A comrade of Ali Mohamed A.D., one Mohamud Mohamed H., has filed an injunction with the Berlin administrative court aiming to force the German foreign ministry to cover the costs of a public defender in Kenya.
Posted by Daniel Sekulich at 11:20 PM
http://piratebook.*************/2009...e-germany.html
Modern Day Pirate Tales
Notes on the world of piracy from journalist Daniel Sekulich.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Somali "pirate" threatens to sue Germany
The ongoing issue of how to effectively prosecute those individuals suspected of having committed piracy on the high seas has had an odd twist added to things. According to EUbusiness.com, a Somali identified as Ali Mohamed A.D. had his lawyer file a lawsuit in Germany on Tuesday for, "what he called his inhumane treatment since being handed over to Kenyan authorities", according to court documents. His lawyer, Oliver Wallasch, is said to be seeking 10,000 Euros ($13,300 US) from the German government for damages incurred after his transfer to Kenya.
Ali Mohamed A.D. was one of nine suspected pirates captured by the German navy after a March 3 incident involving the MV Courier, a freighter owned by a shipping firm based out of Hamburg. As detailed by Speigel Online, the ship was sailing about 57 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast en route from Bremen to the UAE when it was approached by a speedboat. After taking evasive manoeuvres, individuals in the small craft opened fire on the Courier with automatic weapons and a bazooka. Though the attackers failed to stop the ship, they continued their aggressive actions until an American helicopter - responding to the freighter's Mayday - arrived on the scene and the skiff broke off its attack and headed towards Somalia.
As the Spiegel report continues: "The German frigate Rheinland-Pfalz, alarmed by the mayday call, had also sent a helicopter. The German chopper shot two salvos across the bow of the presumed pirates, but the bandits were not impressed. Only when the frigate approached close to their skiff did the Somalis surrender. After being taken into custody, the group's leader told the Germans that he was a human trafficker from Somalia, and that the weapons were for 'self-defense'."
The Somalis were later handed over to Kenyan authorities for prosecution, possibly sparing Germany the problem of how to handle the legal end of things themselves when it comes to piracy. But if they hoped they'd heard the last from the Courier's attackers, this lawsuit proves otherwise.
Ali Mohamed A.D. denies involvement in piracy in his lawsuit, which he bases on the deprivations that may await him in the Kenyan prison system. Jails like the Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa are noted for their harsh conditions, though one has to wonder whether Ali Mohamed A.D. considered the possibility he'd end up in such a place before he set out with weapons to attack a merchant vessel.
His lawyer is likely looking at that the fact the commander of the Rheinland-Pfalz may have overlooked a crucial aspect of a criminal investigation: the securing of evidence necessary to prove the allegations. As Spiegel says about what happend after the Somali suspects were apprehended, "The frigate captain then proceeded to demonstrate that the German navy, though effective at sea, is relatively unversed in the requirements of modern criminal law. The crew was taken into custody, the skiff was searched, and the weapons found in it were seized and then sunk in the ocean - for security reasons, as the captain put it. Since then, the most important pieces of evidence - three bazookas, a Tokarev pistol, a carbine and a machine gun - have been lying on the seafloor of the Gulf of Aden, at an estimated depth of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). The frigate captain's unauthorized disposal of the pirates' weapons has led to bad blood between the German government and the Kenyan judiciary. 'The criticism was repeatedly made that important items used in the crime - in other words, the weapons used - where thrown into the ocean,' read a cable from the German Embassy in Kenya." Oops.
Germany is not the only nation worrying about what to do with pirates once captured, and we've yet to find out what will become of the surviving Somali captor of the Maersk Alabama's captain, Richard Phillips. I hope the U.S. takes a more thorough approach in order to bring the full weight of the law against the suspected pirate. But I can't help but feel that we'll see more of these frivolous lawsuits as more pirates are apprehended.
Addendum: A comrade of Ali Mohamed A.D., one Mohamud Mohamed H., has filed an injunction with the Berlin administrative court aiming to force the German foreign ministry to cover the costs of a public defender in Kenya.
Posted by Daniel Sekulich at 11:20 PM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The most logical end to this situation would be divers from the US warship drill holes in the life boat hull, thus sinking it. Whereby the pirates would have to ditch the AK's in order to swim. Simple solution."
All you young Officer's take note....The reason of this lesson, I posted without the full situation analysis. But you must admit, a very viable solution without all the facts.
My next post, Iran and to sort it.
All you young Officer's take note....The reason of this lesson, I posted without the full situation analysis. But you must admit, a very viable solution without all the facts.
My next post, Iran and to sort it.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NW FL
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Romeo Oscar Golf
On the more practical side why do the shipping companies not put armed personnel on their ships (I know - it costs)
Have heard rumours (and this is, after all, a rumour network), that a Blackwarter-type operation has purchased a destroyer from Russia...perhaps armed escort is the answer for unarmed ships?
I think a good Q-ship is in order...merchant vessel loaded w/Marines or similar.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It goes without saying that anything done to resolve this will have to be legal and above board. With that in mind, surely a law could be enacted that no vessel may approach within 'n' NM (or parts of a NM) of another in waters within a designated area, ie, inside a designated lat/long box and any that does will be considered hostile and WILL be fired on by escorting warships or aircraft after (or before!) appropriate warnings are issued.
A Notice to Mariners would cover it. To make any such system work, a convoy system would have to be implemented (something I suggested months ago here) and any commercial shipping company unwilling to suffer the costs and delays of joing such convoys could sign an indemnity and suffer the consequences.
I know there is huge resistance to convoys - there always has been. In WW One, (1917) after enormous resistance from shipping companies, convoys were at least forced upon them and losses to German U Boats went from 20% to .1%. The 20% loss rate went very near to causing Britain to lose the war at that late stage, and was one of the main reasons Haig pushed the British Army into the absolute bloodbath that was Paschendaele - (to capture the Belgian U Boat bases). [This, despite the fact that the majority of U Boats were operating from German ports, which wasn't appreciated at the time.]
We're at war again now. A half-arsed war, to be sure, with criminals rather than a nation state. But it's a war none the less, and it needs to treated as such by our political leadership. The other side might have grievances, as (what we would call) the bleeding hearts have pointed out, but so did the Japanese and the Germans in the last World War, and very valid ones.
A lot fewer people will be killed if someone (we all know there's only one 'someone') takes this problem on and resolves it properly than if it's allowed to drag on as it has been to date. That might involve a fleet (or an air armada) entering two or three ports and visiting some rather terminal grief upon anything afloat in those ports. Some bystanders and hostages will almost certainly die should that happen, but far fewer than will if this goes on as it has.
And any pirate who kills any hostage needs to understand that he will be sought out and killled - along with quite possibly anyone around him, (as happens now in Pakistan) - no matter how long it takes.
Question is: do we have the will?
A Notice to Mariners would cover it. To make any such system work, a convoy system would have to be implemented (something I suggested months ago here) and any commercial shipping company unwilling to suffer the costs and delays of joing such convoys could sign an indemnity and suffer the consequences.
I know there is huge resistance to convoys - there always has been. In WW One, (1917) after enormous resistance from shipping companies, convoys were at least forced upon them and losses to German U Boats went from 20% to .1%. The 20% loss rate went very near to causing Britain to lose the war at that late stage, and was one of the main reasons Haig pushed the British Army into the absolute bloodbath that was Paschendaele - (to capture the Belgian U Boat bases). [This, despite the fact that the majority of U Boats were operating from German ports, which wasn't appreciated at the time.]
We're at war again now. A half-arsed war, to be sure, with criminals rather than a nation state. But it's a war none the less, and it needs to treated as such by our political leadership. The other side might have grievances, as (what we would call) the bleeding hearts have pointed out, but so did the Japanese and the Germans in the last World War, and very valid ones.
A lot fewer people will be killed if someone (we all know there's only one 'someone') takes this problem on and resolves it properly than if it's allowed to drag on as it has been to date. That might involve a fleet (or an air armada) entering two or three ports and visiting some rather terminal grief upon anything afloat in those ports. Some bystanders and hostages will almost certainly die should that happen, but far fewer than will if this goes on as it has.
And any pirate who kills any hostage needs to understand that he will be sought out and killled - along with quite possibly anyone around him, (as happens now in Pakistan) - no matter how long it takes.
Question is: do we have the will?
Allez la France!
Good to see that they captured these suspected thieves and are not prepared to surrender to their brigandry!
Taking out terrorist weapons caches in situ and noting the effect of collateral damage was, I understand, a British policy during the EOKA terrorism in Cyprus? It was intended to ensure that names of suspected terrorists were made known to the authorities pretty smartish.....
Good to see that they captured these suspected thieves and are not prepared to surrender to their brigandry!
Taking out terrorist weapons caches in situ and noting the effect of collateral damage was, I understand, a British policy during the EOKA terrorism in Cyprus? It was intended to ensure that names of suspected terrorists were made known to the authorities pretty smartish.....
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Entering the bad guy's harbours by water seems dodgy to me; more of a job for helo's & Harriers !
I did mention a while ago the 1980's BAe concept of SCADS, a container ship a la Atlantic Conveyor but with much better runway ( with containers each side mostly for weather protection / general cargo ), comms' & systems, all packaged in containers.
Now there's a Q-Ship !
I did mention a while ago the 1980's BAe concept of SCADS, a container ship a la Atlantic Conveyor but with much better runway ( with containers each side mostly for weather protection / general cargo ), comms' & systems, all packaged in containers.
Now there's a Q-Ship !
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have very good reason to believe, that the USN was asked to solve this problem with one hand tied behind their back. The area commander I believe was told that the SEALS could not take out the pirates, without the hostage being in complete danger.
Apparently the first time that the captain dived into the sea, they were prepared and able to take them out. Apparently they could not get the OK from the USA to do so.
On the second attempt of the captain to get away, the area commander took it on himself to give the snipers the OK to fire. Only three rounds were fired the forth guy could not be seen, and when he saw what had happened, gave himself up.
How many wars do we have to fight, with one hand tied behind our back, and good men get killed because of this. Just so the politicians can look good.
A good job was done but it turns out could have been done two days earlier.
I am sure that someone in the know will confirm these facts.
Regards
Col
Apparently the first time that the captain dived into the sea, they were prepared and able to take them out. Apparently they could not get the OK from the USA to do so.
On the second attempt of the captain to get away, the area commander took it on himself to give the snipers the OK to fire. Only three rounds were fired the forth guy could not be seen, and when he saw what had happened, gave himself up.
How many wars do we have to fight, with one hand tied behind our back, and good men get killed because of this. Just so the politicians can look good.
A good job was done but it turns out could have been done two days earlier.
I am sure that someone in the know will confirm these facts.
Regards
Col