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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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10

Navy Made 'Split-Second' Call to Fire on Pirates

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(Newser) – Navy Seals opened fire on three Somali pirates today when a naval commander made a split-second decision that Capt. Richard Phillips' life was in imminent danger, the New York Times reports. Authorized by President Obama to use force, snipers shot two pirates who had stuck their heads out of the lifeboat's rear hatch, and killed a third through a window in the bow. The destroyer Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat when snipers opened fire.

Navy Seals slid down ropes to the lifeboat and found Phillips tied up on board. Phillips boarded the Bainbridge for a medical exam, which showed he was in pretty good shape after 4 days held by pirates. He called home and transferred to another ship pending his flight home to Vermont. Obama hailed Phillips' release, but vowed to draw a hard line on pirates. "We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region," Obama said.

This photo shows a 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama on Thursday, April 9, 2009 in the Indian Ocean.
This photo shows a 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama on Thursday, April 9, 2009 in the Indian Ocean.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
A 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama on Thursday, April 9, 2009 in the Indian Ocean.
A 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama on Thursday, April 9, 2009 in the Indian Ocean.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
Crew members of the ship celebrate after their captain was released on the deck of the Maersk Alabama at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Crew members of the ship celebrate after their captain was released on the deck of the Maersk Alabama at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Unidentified crew members of the ship celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released, at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Unidentified crew members of the ship celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released, at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.   (SAYYID AZIM)
Crew members celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released, in Mombasa's port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Crew members celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released, in Mombasa's port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.   (SAYYID AZIM)
The San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, to which Capt. Richard Phillips was brought for examination after his rescue.
The San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, to which Capt. Richard Phillips was brought for examination after his rescue.   (Brian K. Fromal)
Crew members of the ship celebrate, after their captain was released, on the deck of the Maersk Alabama at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Crew members of the ship celebrate, after their captain was released, on the deck of the Maersk Alabama at the Mombasa port in Kenya, Sunday, April 12, 2009.   (SAYYID AZIM)
Maersk Line Ltd, CEO, John Reinhart, enters with a smile on his face before he speaks to the media on Sunday, April 12, 2009 in Norfolk, Va., concerning the rescue of Richard Phillips.
Maersk Line Ltd, CEO, John Reinhart, enters with a smile on his face before he speaks to the media on Sunday, April 12, 2009 in Norfolk, Va., concerning the rescue of Richard Phillips.   (AP Photo/Gary C. Knapp)
A show of celebration along the roadside in Underhill, Vt., for Richard Phillips, 55, the captain of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama, Sunday, April 12, 2009.
A show of celebration along the roadside in Underhill, Vt., for Richard Phillips, 55, the captain of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama, Sunday, April 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andy Duback)
Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, is welcomed aboard the USS Bainbridge on Sunday, April 12, 2009 after being rescued by U.S. naval forces off the coast of Somalia.
Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, is welcomed aboard the USS Bainbridge on Sunday, April 12, 2009 after being rescued by U.S. naval forces off the coast of Somalia.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
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I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Capt. Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew.
His courage is a model for
all Americans. - President Obama,
in a statement released today

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10 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Apr 12, 09 7:17 PM CDT
THAT is what you do to pirates...yeah! Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Apr 15, 09 2:03 AM CDT
Whatever.
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-1
Reader60610265
Apr 12, 09 10:14 PM CDT
I told you that the navy was only waiting for our fearless leader to give the ok . Reply
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+1
Sauerkraut
Apr 13, 09 1:17 AM CDT
Damn, rthose seals are some good shots. Remember they are at sea. Nothing is stationary. I think that just affirms that America just might have the best snipers. Snipers might have been Marines tbh. Reply
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+1
Laugh
Apr 13, 09 1:35 AM CDT
Well-trained snipers. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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