US Capt. Freed, 3 Pirates Shot dead

[SirSaxa]

CNN
www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/12/somalia.pirates/index.html

Quite a successful conclusion to a very dangerous situation.
Kudos to the US Military for being patient AND extremely effective.

[EasyEd]

I thought I posted this earlier but it disappeared so if it's a repeat, sorry.

Well done to the Seals for doing a masterful job, as always, in bringing the pirate/hostage situation to the best possible outcome. And well done to all, from President Obama on down, who authorized, planned and executed this rescue. Bravo.

[strummer8526]

Great outcome. I was talking w/ family last night and complaining about how sometimes, for all our tough talk, we don't follow through militarily in some appropriate situations. But I was certainly proven wrong.

Between this and the pilot landing on the Hudson...even dating back to Flight 93 to use an obvious example, it's nice to hear about some good old fashioned heroism.

[H2Oya 05]

Great outcome and great call President Obama sending in the Seals!

[Coast2CoastHoya]

Great work, from the skipper to the SEALs on up to the Prez. Also, glad to see we won't have to worry about those particular pirates any longer.

[Boz]

A very wonderful Easter present for the captain's family.

I heard an account, but I haven't been able to verify it, that Capt. Phillips jumped out of the raft AGAIN just before everything went down in order to create a distraction and give the SEALs a very clear target.

If that is the case, man, this guy has probably got the biggest set of brass ones I've ever known.

I don't care is there is a ship towing you nearby...jumping into the Indian Ocean isn't like jumping into a pond. That is a man of supreme courage. I don't know that I would have had it in me to do that...let alone twice.

And, unsuprisingly, flawless execution (no pun intended) by the SEALs. I'd imagine that's a pretty tough shot in open seas, even for trained snipers, but Navy SEALs simply do not miss.

[CAHoya07]

Great story, congratulations and great job to everyone involved. Reading the article made me think it was more out of a movie or TV show than real life. While reading the news sometimes depresses me, seeing a story like this one gives me hope that there is some good in the world still, and that there are great people out there are capable of doing incredible things.

EDIT: And on Easter, nonetheless.

[Cambridge]

Out of curiosity, for people with access to a TV, how is Fox News handling this resolution? Seemed to me the talking heads on the channel put a lot of their Easter eggs in one basket - that Obama wouldn't pull the trigger. There was a lot of thinly veiled "he's too much of a wimp." By setting it up as such a character testing moment and to have Obama come out aces, how have they taken it? I mean last week they basically guaranteed that Obama would try to offer the pirates bailout money.

[theexorcist]

Apr 13, 2009 10:09:21 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Out of curiosity, for people with access to a TV, how is Fox News handling this resolution? Seemed to me the talking heads on the channel put a lot of their Easter eggs in one basket - that Obama wouldn't pull the trigger. There was a lot of thinly veiled "he's too much of a wimp." By setting it up as such a character testing moment and to have Obama come out aces, how have they taken it? I mean last week they basically guaranteed that Obama would try to offer the pirates bailout money.

The conservative websites have focused on the heroism of the SEALs and of Phillips.

Let it be noted that the reports I've read have indicated that the SEALs acted due to the assumption of imminent harm to the hostage. While I would guess that Obama approved the parameters under which action could be taken, this doesn't sound like he told the SEALs to "Take them down now".

[Cambridge]

Apr 13, 2009 10:15:40 GMT -5 theexorcist said:

Apr 13, 2009 10:09:21 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Out of curiosity, for people with access to a TV, how is Fox News handling this resolution? Seemed to me the talking heads on the channel put a lot of their Easter eggs in one basket - that Obama wouldn't pull the trigger. There was a lot of thinly veiled "he's too much of a wimp." By setting it up as such a character testing moment and to have Obama come out aces, how have they taken it? I mean last week they basically guaranteed that Obama would try to offer the pirates bailout money.

The conservative websites have focused on the heroism of the SEALs and of Phillips.

Let it be noted that the reports I've read have indicated that the SEALs acted due to the assumption of imminent harm to the hostage. While I would guess that Obama approved the parameters under which action could be taken, this doesn't sound like he told the SEALs to "Take them down now".

www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/12/official-sea-captain-faced-imminent-danger/

[Boz]

Apr 13, 2009 10:15:40 GMT -5 theexorcist said:

Apr 13, 2009 10:09:21 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

Out of curiosity, for people with access to a TV, how is Fox News handling this resolution? Seemed to me the talking heads on the channel put a lot of their Easter eggs in one basket - that Obama wouldn't pull the trigger. There was a lot of thinly veiled "he's too much of a wimp." By setting it up as such a character testing moment and to have Obama come out aces, how have they taken it? I mean last week they basically guaranteed that Obama would try to offer the pirates bailout money.

The conservative websites have focused on the heroism of the SEALs and of Phillips.

Let it be noted that the reports I've read have indicated that the SEALs acted due to the assumption of imminent harm to the hostage. While I would guess that Obama approved the parameters under which action could be taken, this doesn't sound like he told the SEALs to "Take them down now".

The SEALs operated, from what I understand, under standard Rules of Engagement. It was the SEAL team leader who determined the "imminent danger" aspect and directed the snipers to shoot.

Please note I am not trying to diminish this as a success for Obama. I'm not sure, but I assume it was he who ordered the SEALs deployed to the situation. And regardless, he is the commander in chief. When the military succeeds, the commander in chief gets and deserves credit. Just as he would get the blame is something had gone bad (thankfully not something we have to consider).

Yes, conservatives or anti-Obama people are going to praise more the operators on the ground (though I've seen many who are justly giving the President his due). Liberals or pro-Obama people are going to want to cite this as an example that Obama's not "wet behind the ears" and can handle himself in a conflict.

How about calling it a success and victory for everyone involved and leave it at that?

[Cambridge]

Apr 13, 2009 10:38:43 GMT -5 Boz said:

Apr 13, 2009 10:15:40 GMT -5 theexorcist said:

The conservative websites have focused on the heroism of the SEALs and of Phillips.

Let it be noted that the reports I've read have indicated that the SEALs acted due to the assumption of imminent harm to the hostage. While I would guess that Obama approved the parameters under which action could be taken, this doesn't sound like he told the SEALs to "Take them down now".

The SEALs operated, from what I understand, under standard Rules of Engagement. It was the SEAL team leader who determined the "imminent danger" aspect and directed the snipers to shoot.

Please note I am not trying to diminish this as a success for Obama. I'm not sure, but I assume it was he who ordered the SEALs deployed to the situation. And regardless, he is the commander in chief. When the military succeeds, the commander in chief gets and deserves credit. Just as he would get the blame is something had gone bad (thankfully not something we have to consider).

Yes, conservatives or anti-Obama people are going to praise more the operators on the ground (though I've seen many who are justly giving the President his due). Liberals or pro-Obama people are going to want to cite this as an example that Obama's not "wet behind the ears" and can handle himself in a conflict.

How about calling it a success and victory for everyone involved and leave it at that?

I would normally, (full disclosure, my bro-in-law is a SEAL who just returned from combat deployment in the region) but I spent a fair amount of time last week watching Fox News and they called out Obama - often in a pretty vicious manner - about the pirates, hence my curiosity about their reaction.

On Edit - To stress and clarify, I actually don't think that Obama had much to do with this operation, it's just that I got the impression that Fox News in particular had seized upon the pirate confrontation as "moment of truth" and a "real test" of the Administration's cojones and after they so clearly bet against Obama, I was curious as to what their reaction was to what appears to be a passing grade.

[TBird41]

I've had a chance to meet a few SEALs and, yeah, they're badass. Bravo to them and to everyone involved in resolving this situation so successfully.

However, I think anyone who wants to take a larger message on the President away from the whole pirate situation should wait a couple of weeks and see what he does about Pirates now that we have the hostage back, the Pirates have made a bunch of threats (not to mention attacked a U.S. vessel) and the pirates remain a dangerous threat on a very important shipping lane.

(And has anyone else had the Marine Hymn get stuck in their head every time this story gets brought up?)

[Boz]

Apr 13, 2009 10:42:24 GMT -5 Cambridge said:

On Edit - To stress and clarify, I actually don't think that Obama had much to do with this operation, it's just that I got the impression that Fox News in particular had seized upon the pirate confrontation as "moment of truth" and a "real test" of the Administration's cojones and after they so clearly bet against Obama, I was curious as to what their reaction was to what appears to be a passing grade.

Well, OK, here is my prediction:

I think the morning people (I didn't see them this morning, so someone can tell me if I am wrong), will give all credit to the SEALs and the captain. They won't say anything bad about Obama, they just won't mention him.

Fox daytime will cover it pretty objectively with stories both about the heroism in the operation AND the political gain for the President.

O'Reilly will give Obama a LOT of credit. I can pretty much guarantee that.

Hannity will give the President no credit and continue to be snarky about his role in all of this.

Greta will interview the captain's family. Then she'll ask that Navy SEALs be deployed to find Natalie Holloway's body. She will also probably ask Sarah Palin's daughter what she thinks about all of this.

Keith Olbermann, meanwhile, will actually whip it out and start pleasuring himself on camera to a picture of Obama.

;D

PS - Tell your brother-in-law he is the man!

(ON EDIT: I have learned that the story of the captain diving into the ocean a second time was inaccurately reported & that didn't happen. He's still one courageous SOB, just wanted to clear that up from my earlier post.)

[TC]

Umm....yeah.....no. Fox hasn't covered this objectively at all - these incidents have been going on for quite a while now and they act like this is some new form of aggression because our President is "weak". They are promoting Teabaggin' Day with their anchors - which no offense, makes whatever feelings that take place inside of Chris Matthews' leg look like small potatoes in terms of bias. I don't understand how anyone can even use the word "objective" in the same sentence as them.

I guess I don't understand why this is a Presidential issue - Obama doesn't really deserve much credit here, and as Cambridge says, I don't think it would have been a Presidential issue at all had it not been for the ridiculous reporting from FOX News.

[SirSaxa]

I had an opportunity to spend some time a couple years ago with members of SO/LIC team at the Pentagon. SO/LIC = Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict.

The SO guys include the SEALS, Delta Force (which, like Area 52, officially does not exist), Special Ops (Formerly Green Berets), and other components. The Navy, Air Force and Army all have Spec Ops organizations. But they operate under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command rather than through their individual military branches.

Point being, as impressive as the SEALS are, they are on a par with their brother Spec Ops organizations and almost always work as a team comprised of many components of Spec Ops. For all of these groups, their training and fitness are incredible.

As you may have read, all three Pirates were shot in the head. From 100' or so, from a ship at sea targeting a bobbing life craft. While some news reports said the firing took several minutes, I suspect it actually took only several seconds.

What I find truly fascinating is the SEALS managed to persuade the pirates to allow their life boat to be towed by the Destroyer. And they probably planted a listening device on the life boat. THe toughest part was getting a clear shot at all three pirates simultaneously -- a task made easier by getting the fourth pirate off the boat entirely. But if you see photos of the life boat, it is easy to see what a challenge that would be to see all three pirates simultaneously -- to see them well enough to get kill-shots off.

Did Obama order "the hit"? No, that would not make sense because you never know if/when/how you might be able to target all pirates to ensure killing them before they can take a shot at Capt. Phillips. Word is Obama authorized them to take action if -- in their judgement -- Capt. Phillips life was in jeopardy.

One day, the entire story of this event will come out... probably years from now. The amount of planning, getting resources in place, negotiating with the Pirates, reconnoitering the layout of the life boat, pirates and Phillips, being patient to wait for the right moment, when the pirates were exhausted, let down their guard.... and successfully conclude the mission... truly a very impressive performance.

Does Obama deserve credit? Sure. He authorized the movement of additional assets to the location and the action necessary to secure the safe return of the hostage. But so do all of the military people involved. AND -- so does the crew of the Alabama. If they had not managed to get the pirates off their ship --- despite being unarmed when the pirates had AK-47s, none of the rest would have been possible.

Capt Phillips somehow gave himself up to protect the crew? Got the pirates off the ship? Didn't lose a man, cargo, or ship? How the heck did they pull that off? Truly a remarkable performance by everyone involved from the Prez, through the chain of command, to the Alabama's crew... everyone.

All of the media reports suggesting the US was powerless with our Billions dollars of ships and hundreds of men vs 4 pirates with AK-47s... that was not the case at all. The US Military was in no rush, had nothing to gain by acting early, and their position simply gained strength with each passing hour. Their priority was to ensure the life of the hostage, not to end things quickly. GREAT GREAT job!

As for what happens now? Good question. But the US cannot stop the pirates by themselves. It will take a joint, international effort and commitment. Clearly, though, the situation has changed. I would suspect the pirates will avoid attempts to hijack US ships going forward.

[The Stig]

www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/13/somalia.rescue.breakdown/index.html

Apparently it was 3 shots, 3 kills. When our military gets to act like a military and not a police force, they prove that they're still the best in the world.

Obama deserves credit for getting the right guys on the scene and letting them do their work, but the real credit belongs to the guys who pulled the triggers.

[EasyEd]

Sir Saxa, excellent post about the situation.

[hoyatables]

I watched much of Fox News's coverage last night, as they actually provided the most detail and didn't subject me to the self-serving idiocy that is Don Lemon on CNN. Fox did a good job and gave credit to all involved, including Obama, but mostly focusing on the military, the crew, and of course Captain Phillips, which was the right thing to do.

[theexorcist]

Apr 13, 2009 11:10:21 GMT -5 TC said:

Umm....yeah.....no. Fox hasn't covered this objectively at all - these incidents have been going on for quite a while now and they act like this is some new form of aggression because our President is "weak". They are promoting Teabaggin' Day with their anchors - which no offense, makes whatever feelings that take place inside of Chris Matthews' leg look like small potatoes in terms of bias. I don't understand how anyone can even use the word "objective" in the same sentence as them.

I guess I don't understand why this is a Presidential issue - Obama doesn't really deserve much credit here, and as Cambridge says, I don't think it would have been a Presidential issue at all had it not been for the ridiculous reporting from FOX News.

Disagree heavily. Piracy is an increasingly important issue, and Somalia is being increasingly linked to Al Qaeda. This issue has been building for a while. It's not a serious threat to the United States, but if oil tankers get hijacked, bad things happen. It's not a ding on the Navy being the world's fleet policeman, but the idea that some guys on speedboats can take hostages is a new approach to the issue of maritime security.

Joke from a friend - "Now that's what I call Easter SEALs!"