http://www.news.navy.mil/search//display.asp?story_id=22784



U.S. Navy Ships Return Fire on Suspected Pirates
Story Number: NNS060318-01
Release Date: 3/18/2006 12:18:00 PM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

ABOARD USS CAPE ST. GEORGE, At sea (NNS) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) returned fire on a group of suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean, killing one and wounding five, approximately 25 nautical miles off the central eastern coast of Somalia in international waters at 5:40 a.m. local time, March 18.

Cape St. George, a guided-missile cruiser, and Gonzalez, a guided-missile destroyer, were conducting maritime security operations in the area as part of Combined Task Force 150, a maritime coalition task force currently led by Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Hank Ort, when they spotted a suspect vessel towing two smaller skiffs heading west toward the coast. As Gonzalez’s boarding teams prepared to conduct a routine boarding of the suspect vessel, the two Norfolk, Va.-based Navy ships noticed the group of suspected pirates were brandishing what appeared to be rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers.

The suspected pirates then opened fire on the Navy ships. Cape St. George and Gonzalez returned fire with small arms in self-defense.

One suspected pirate was killed and a fire ignited aboard the main suspect vessel. Boarding teams from Cape St. George and Gonzalez took twelve other suspects into custody, including the five injured. The Navy boarding teams also confiscated an RPG launcher and automatic weapons. No U.S. Sailors were injured in the engagement.

The Navy ships are providing medical treatment to the wounded suspects, continuing search and rescue efforts for any additional suspects and collecting further evidence from the vessel and skiffs. Royal Netherlands Navy medical personnel, including a medical doctor, are en route to assist from HNLMS Amsterdam.

Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

On March 15, the United Nations Security Council encouraged naval forces operating off the coast of Somalia to be vigilant and take action against piracy. Pirate attacks against aid ships have hindered UN efforts to provide relief to the victims of a severe drought in the area.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

MedMech, do they raise dumb-asses in Somalia?

Apparently they like copper with a lead chaser.

hey do you like my new sig?

New signature reminds me of TANK.

But I know you're not him.

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

I had all options turned-off and had to turn it on to see it. That's one guest no bad guy wants to see come to his house.

The Abrams is a hell of a war machine but I think door gunner with a Gatling still has my heart for something that looks like more fun than a married man should have.

B

I did get to ride in one but never got to push THE button. bummer.

I did shoot .50's from time to time though, whattablast.

I wonder if anyone here will call for US Navy warships to be equipped with Sonic-noise warning systems.

I agree with Bot, anyone that would draw down on a US Navy guided missile cruiser with an RPG could be an automatic Darwin award winner.

I think a shot over the bow makes a fairly recognizable noise.
Guns a pretty loud too.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

Lesee. 2 big ships with guns, missiles and more people on board vs 1 boat with RPGs and probably small arms. Tough fight. How long did it take the crews from the 2 ships to stop laughing and start shooting. Anyone wanted to bet on the underdog?

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Good kill those *(&(_&)_&_ pirates. Wow that had to be about the stupidest thing to do. Yeah lets shoot at the cruiser with an RPG that will scare them away.

Well for once they got what was coming to them. I guess a cruiser is a bit harder target then a couple on a 40ft sailboat.

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Untrue. Look at all the damage they inflicted on the warship. It could have sunk one of the warships. Look at pic 2 and 3. Look at pic 4 to see their vast armaments and look at pic 5 to see the size of their boat. Look at pic 1 to see the result.

I don't know about any of you and them but when I see a big ship come down on me like that, whatever they want, you might as well comply.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

OMG look at the damage!

It is going to take some poor sap all of 5 minutes to paint those chips!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
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2007 Tiara 3200

Probably have to weld the dent up too. Good thing it hit above the water line otherwise the cruiser might have sunk.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Yeah the volume of water that would have come through!


I remember looking at a 16in shell hit on the the battleship MA. Just lots of new metal, must have been an amazing hole. Also saw damage from a shell burst. The chunks taken out of the steel were as big as my fist! Anyone in that area would have been chopped to nothing.

After looking over one of those battleship's I can see why it took hours and dozens of torpedos to sink one. You could fire shells into the thing all day and not sink it.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200