Somali Pirates Fire at Navy Helicopter, and They Fly Away!!!

[twyacht]

Caught this article, and would like to know more about why these damn pirates did not become chum...

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/08/27/somalia.us.pirates/

By Mike Mount
CNN Senior Pentagon producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Pirates holding a Taiwanese-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia fired on a U.S. Navy helicopter Wednesday as the aircraft monitored the ship, the Navy said.

The helicopter was not struck and all crew members were safe after the incident, the Navy said in a news release.

The incident highlights the ongoing piracy problem in that region even as U.S. and coalition ships patrol the waters to deter pirates.

Somali pirates hijacked the M/V Win Far on April 6. Navy officials said the vessel is being used as a "mother ship," or a floating base, to launch attacks on other ships, including the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama. The Alabama was targeted by pirates in an April hijacking that ended with U.S. Navy snipers shooting dead three pirates who were holding the captain of the ship hostage.

According to the Navy's news release Thursday, the flight crew on the SH-60 helicopter "noticed activity" on the ship but could not determine if the pirates had fired at them.

When the helicopter returned to the USS Chancellorsville, a review of its infrared camera showed the aircraft was fired on.

The helicopter did not return fire, according to the release.

Since the start of the year, dozens of ships have been attacked or hijacked, according to statistics from the International Maritime Bureau, an organization that monitors piracy around the world.
******

Uh,....why are these pirates still breathing?

[tt11758]

Uh,....why are these pirates still breathing?Huh?

Cuz it was a Navy copter, not one from the Marines?






I'm just saying................................   

[TAB]

what did some one forget to load the ammo or something? 


In all fairness the navy has several versions of the SH60( and other XX 60 X)  some are set up for sub hunting/electronic warfare and don't have mounted guns. 

[twyacht]

Alright, maybe no fixed guns,...but if the ship is KNOWN to be used as a BASE for more terrorist operations,.....

You send back ARMED Choppers, notify the owners of the ship to contact their insurance company, and

"CLEAN THE DECKS!!!"

Send a Warship, send Navy Seals, send SOMETHING....  Put these punks DOWN!!!

Monitoring, only goes so far, than its "chum time"

[Kid Shelleen]

Caught this article, and would like to know more about why these damn pirates did not become chum...

According to the Navy's news release Thursday, the flight crew on the SH-60 helicopter "noticed activity" on the ship but could not determine if the pirates had fired at them.

Uh,....why are these pirates still breathing?

Had the helicopter crew determined that they were being fired upon, I feel certain that they would have requested and have received permission "to light 'em up."

The end result:

[Sponsor]

[Jackel]

this is why the navy is useless

[twyacht]

this is why the navy is useless

Somebody had to get the Marine/Army troops to the beaches......

But in this case, I partly agree with the "*ussyfooting around" and not going back to put a "smack down" on these punks...

Even the Air Force doesn't put up with getting shot at,.....

Well, unless your enforcing the No Fly Zone in the days of Saddam, who is thankfully now still dead....

[Jackel]

[tombogan03884]

 Remember a while back, when we were bitching about the "useless" Navy on the USS Bainbridge "just watching" the Somali pirates that were holding a ships Captain hostage ?
Patience is a virtue that is often rewarded little grasshoppers. 

[blackwolfe]

The pirates are probably holding hostages on the Tiwanese ship they hijaked in April and are using as a mothership.  As much as we would like to see the pirates blown out of the water ther are probably many other condsiderations that come into play.  Unfortunately when the mothership no longer becomes useful due to breakdown or lack of fuel or other situation, any hostages on board may no longer be useful either.