pirates shoot at navy helicopter

[JB88]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/27/world/main5268713.shtml?tag=topnews

and we didn't fire back?

 


 

[CAP1]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/27/world/main5268713.shtml?tag=topnews

and we didn't fire back?

 


 

me thinks it's the perfect excuse to show them real power.

[Westy]

Since they can't be certain the crew of that hijacked ship isn't on board
they probably will play it safe.

[Shuffler]

We should not be involved with conducting surveillance if the pirated craft is foreign flagged. All the US companies flagging their ships overseas should not be covered by our military.

[oakranger]

Inter national laws on engaging when being fire at.  It is real complex and you have no ideal how often it happens. Way before 9/11, we been flying over Iraq "no fly zone" for years.   At times they will fire a SAM missile at one of us and we just take them out. 

[druski85]

Mess with the bull...

Anyone else find that graphic to be EXTREMELY misleading?  Yes, clearly the pirate operations are all based in Ethiopia and Kenya.     Let's throw Djibouti and Eritrea into the mix too just for kicks. 

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Maybe the flaper wasn't even armed?

[zack1234]

I heard that pirate's fired at a Indian gunboat of the coast of India, the Indian gunboat blew them to pieces.
Guess what UN made a complaint to the Indian government.
How many pirates would there be after a year if we took the Indian stance - NONE

[gyrene81]

I heard that pirate's fired at a Indian gunboat of the coast of India, the Indian gunboat blew them to pieces.
Guess what UN made a complaint to the Indian government.
How many pirates would there be after a year if we took the Indian stance - NONE

That is the same stance N.Korea, China, N.Vietnam and Russia take...if only the U.S. would too.

New U.S. diplomatic and military policy - hostile activity toward any of our military assets will be answered with swift and deadly retribution.

[CAP1]

That is the same stance N.Korea, China, N.Vietnam and Russia take...if only the U.S. would too.

New U.S. diplomatic and military policy - hostile activity toward any of our military assets will be answered with swift and deadly retribution.

i always thought that was how it was supposed to be anyway.


i'm not military....but me being in command of that chopper........those pirates would become(very quickly) ex-pirates, and i'd worry about the consequences when i land. my crew is more important than diplomacy.

[Shuffler]

I heard that pirate's fired at a Indian gunboat of the coast of India, the Indian gunboat blew them to pieces.
Guess what UN made a complaint to the Indian government.
How many pirates would there be after a year if we took the Indian stance - NONE

This is probably true.

[SFRT - Frenchy]

i always thought that was how it was supposed to be anyway.


i'm not military....but me being in command of that chopper........those pirates would become(very quickly) ex-pirates, and i'd worry about the consequences when i land. my crew is more important than diplomacy.

 , no you would not. U'd do some kind of evasive manoeuver, then once safe, u'll not be able to justify endangering ur crew for "retribution".

[BlueJ1]

Some background info from a Navy helicopter maintainer

The USS Chancellorsville is a small boy. Helos attached to small boys primary mission is usually vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and or antisubmarine warfare. For these type of missions the birds are not usually outfitted with weapons larger then a 9mm. For antisubmarine warfare the birds can be outfitted with torpedoes or missiles.    

If the Navy had fired back they could have easily used the USS Chancellorsville weapons and made the pirates ship into a new coral reef and not endanger the crew of the helicopter.

I have no opinion either way about not firing back. Not in the mood for politics today.  

[CAP1]

, no you would not. U'd do some kind of evasive manoeuver, then once safe, u'll not be able to justify endangering ur crew for "retribution".

DAMMIT MAN!!!

why do ya hafta come in here with common sense????


you are right 

[trigger2]

*sighs*

I think it's time to start issuing letters of marque again, allow merchant ships to be armed, and kerbang, problem solved.