The rescue; clarification on how it came about

[Louis of PA]

from blackfive.net

Posted By Uncle Jimbo
I just finished listening to the press conference w/ ADM Gortney about the rescue of Captain Phillips. At the time it happened the USS Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat to calmer waters as the sea state was deteriorating. One of the pirates was on board the Bainbridge as the talks about obtaining Phillip's release continued.

The lifeboat was approx. 25 m behind the Bainbridge when snipers on the fantail observed one of the pirates in the pilot house of the lifeboat pointing an AK-47 at the back of a tied up Phillips and the other two pirates on board were visible (at least shoulders and heads).

The standing authority gave them clearance to engage the pirates if the life of the captain was in imminent danger. The on scene commander deemed this to be true and gave the order to fire. All three bad guys were taken out and then a rigid inflatable boat went to the lifeboat to retrieve Phillips. It is unknown at this point whether the shooters were SEALs or Marine Scout Snipers as both would have been available.

This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.

The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.

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[John L. Lucci]

from blackfive.net

Posted By Uncle Jimbo
I just finished listening to the press conference w/ ADM Gortney about the rescue of Captain Phillips. At the time it happened the USS Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat to calmer waters as the sea state was deteriorating. One of the pirates was on board the Bainbridge as the talks about obtaining Phillip's release continued.

The lifeboat was approx. 25 m behind the Bainbridge when snipers on the fantail observed one of the pirates in the pilot house of the lifeboat pointing an AK-47 at the back of a tied up Phillips and the other two pirates on board were visible (at least shoulders and heads).

The standing authority gave them clearance to engage the pirates if the life of the captain was in imminent danger. The on scene commander deemed this to be true and gave the order to fire. All three bad guys were taken out and then a rigid inflatable boat went to the lifeboat to retrieve Phillips. It is unknown at this point whether the shooters were SEALs or Marine Scout Snipers as both would have been available.

This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.

The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.

Do you think a little matter called "the truth" would prevent the press from engaging in shameless spin? All of us know we are under a president with giblets little larger than Pres. Peanut's. I'm sure (N)Obama vacillated and came to no decision.

[Neal Myers]

The intent was obvious. Obama refused to comment on the situation so that, if the operation went bad, he would just throw the Naval command under the bus. But, since it was successful, he was able to take credit.

What bothers me is that we discussed the tactics; that was stupid. We should have dumped ALL 4 bodies into the water, then issued a press release saying that they had not been given any ransom but had been allowed to take the boat & return home. Yeah, the family might have suspected the truth when their men never returned to Mogadishu, but, hey, lots of fisherman are lost at sea every day in that region.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.

The rescue succeeded, therefore obama took the credit

If it had failed, the ships captain would have been tossed to the wolves.

[Former Cav]

All I can say is God bless our GI's (Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard, including reserves and national guard types).
They are of a quality that is much higher then our politicians deserve!!