Pirates Shoot at U.S. Navy Helicopter
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Pirates Shoot at U.S. Navy Helicopter
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5268713.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5268713.shtml
Pirates Shoot at U.S. Navy Helicopter
Bandits Aboard Hijacked Taiwanese Fishing Vessel Take Aim with "Large Caliber Weapon" But Miss
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PHOTO
(CBS)
STORIES
Russia Arrests 8 in "Arctic Sea" Hijack
Russia: "Arctic Sea" Found, Crew Safe
(AP) The U.S. Navy says one of its helicopters was fired on by Somali pirates holding a hijacked ship off the coast of Somalia.
The Navy says the chopper was making a surveillance flight yesterday over the Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel when the pirates opened fire with "a large caliber weapon." The helicopter did not return fire. According to the Navy, the helicopter from the USS Chancellorsville was not hit and there were no injuries.
A spokesman for the 5th Fleet says it marks the first time pirates have shot at U.S. Navy helicopters conducting daily surveillance flights over areas where pirates anchor hijacked vessels and await ransom.
Since seizing the ship and its 30-member crew in the Gulf of Aden in April, the pirates have used the vessel as a base for attacking other commercial ships, including the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama.
The Navy says four other merchant ships and 105 crewmembers are currently being held by pirates near the Win Far.
Bandits Aboard Hijacked Taiwanese Fishing Vessel Take Aim with "Large Caliber Weapon" But Miss
Font size Print Share 20 Comments
PHOTO
(CBS)
STORIES
Russia Arrests 8 in "Arctic Sea" Hijack
Russia: "Arctic Sea" Found, Crew Safe
(AP) The U.S. Navy says one of its helicopters was fired on by Somali pirates holding a hijacked ship off the coast of Somalia.
The Navy says the chopper was making a surveillance flight yesterday over the Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel when the pirates opened fire with "a large caliber weapon." The helicopter did not return fire. According to the Navy, the helicopter from the USS Chancellorsville was not hit and there were no injuries.
A spokesman for the 5th Fleet says it marks the first time pirates have shot at U.S. Navy helicopters conducting daily surveillance flights over areas where pirates anchor hijacked vessels and await ransom.
Since seizing the ship and its 30-member crew in the Gulf of Aden in April, the pirates have used the vessel as a base for attacking other commercial ships, including the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama.
The Navy says four other merchant ships and 105 crewmembers are currently being held by pirates near the Win Far.
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Ok, if they captured this ship in APRIL, I'm assuming the crew is no longer on board given the article said this is one of the ships the pirates use as a base to hijack other ships from. Since we know that and we know where it is why is it still afloat in one piece? Sink that ****! Blow it up with the damn pirates on board!
Why are we spending money on daily surveillance, so we can go "yup, they're still there..."?
Why are we spending money on daily surveillance, so we can go "yup, they're still there..."?
Last edited by VRT MBasile; Aug 27, 2009 at 10:20 AM.
It is unlikely that the Navy chopper had any weapons to defend it's self. They simply do not fly search and destroy missions they are primarily recon and anti-submarine. They were sitting ducks if there was significant fire. Now the Vessel that the chopper was attached to, could make short work of the situation. The russian vessel is sort of caught in the middle. The fire upon it would spark an international incident.
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The Chancellorsville is a Ticonderoga... so helo was probably a SH60 Bravo, armament there is torpedoes, hellfires, and a side mounted 7.62 machine gun. nothing appropriate to respond in this situation but not exactly unarmed either.
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ROE are there to establish a system of when it is appropriate to shoot, not kill everything possibly suspect (and out of ammo when you need it). This area of the world is where the ROE are especially needed, people you often suspect are the ones that mean you no harm and those that you don't suspect do. Simply put ROE keeps noncombatants from getting killed and keeps good men from getting killed or making mistakes.
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It is unlikely that the Navy chopper had any weapons to defend it's self. They simply do not fly search and destroy missions they are primarily recon and anti-submarine. They were sitting ducks if there was significant fire. Now the Vessel that the chopper was attached to, could make short work of the situation. The russian vessel is sort of caught in the middle. The fire upon it would spark an international incident.
"The primary means of defense is with the M60D, M240 or GAU-17/A guns. A "batwing" refit (Armed Helo Kit) based on the Army's UH-60L was developed to accommodate Hellfire, Hydra 70 2.75" rockets, or a larger guns or cannon."
The navy won't send up a unarmed aircraft without some kind of protection. So even if it was a MH-60A (non armed), then someplace in strike range was a pair of F-18 fighters, or a couple of Marine AH-8A jump jets ready to pounce. Its SOP on all navy missions to have jets in the air, and birds on the 'pults in a "alert 5" spot.
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