Okay, so we had four American missionaries floating around on a yahct in well known pirate infested waters. Dumb idea? Yes. Deserve to die? No. Yesterday, the four American missionaries were murdered by the Somalis (AP Article): Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Monday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years. U.S. naval forces, who were trailing the Americans' captured yacht with four warships, quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire and tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement from Tampa, Fla. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn't state how those two might have died... General Mattis released a statement from CENTCOM: U.S. Forces Respond to Gunfire Aboard the S/V Quest TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2011) – Tampa, FL - At approximately 1 a.m. EST today, while negotiations were ongoing to secure the release of four American hostages, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the pirated vessel (S/V) Quest. As they responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds. “We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest,” said Gen James N. Mattis, U.S. Central Command Commander. During the boarding of the Quest, the reaction force was engaged by pirates on board the vessel. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained along with two pirates already in US Forces custody. The US Forces also found the remains of two other pirates already dead aboard the Quest. In total, it is believed 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the S/V Quest. US Forces have been closely monitoring the S/V Quest for approximately 3 days, once it became known to be pirated. Four U.S. Navy warships comprised the response force dedicated to recovering the S/V Quest: the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84). The ships are deployed to the region to conduct maritime security operations and to provide support to operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. There are hundreds and hundreds of prisoners in the hands of the Somali pirates. The nature of the laws of the sea, international law, the loose organization of the various mulititude of pirate bands, and logistics create some tough issues to overcome in tackling piracy off of Africa. Regardless, expect the hammer to drop on them imminently. Last, those Somalis on board the Enterprise are probably voiding their bladders wondering what will happen to them. We aren't Russian so they'll probably get a cell with cable and three squares a day...
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Posted
Feb 21 2011, 11:37 PM
by
BLACKFIVE