US Navy Snipers Shoot Pirates, Save Skipper of Maersk-Alabama

by Mr. Bob | 8:44 pm, April 12, 2009 | Comments Off

Off the Somali coast, U.S. special operations snipers held positions at the rear of the USS Bainbridge, which was towing an 18-foot lifeboat that held Phillips and three pirates some 25-30 meters away.

“The snipers positioned on the fantail of the Bainbridge observed one of the pirates in the pilot house -- and two pirates with their head and shoulders exposed -- and one of the pirates had the AK47 (assault rifle) leveled at the captain’s back,” Gortney said.

Gortney said the White House had given military operators "very clear guidance and authority" if Phillips' life was in danger.

“The on-scene commander took it as the captain was in imminent danger and then made that decision (to shoot), and he had the authorities to make that decision, and he had seconds to make that decision,” he said.

On the marksmanship of the snipers Gortney said, “We pay a lot for their training and we got a good return on our investment.”

Naval forces rescued Phillips on a rigid-inflatable boat and transferred him to the USS Bainbridge before being flown to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably, ccording to a U.S. Navy statement.

Gortney said Phillips was in good health and suffered no apparent injuries, despite being “tied up inside the lifeboat” for at least part of his five days as a hostage. He noted that a fourth pirate surrendered and is being held in U.S. forces’ custody. SOURCE DefenseLink

The news that Captain Richard Phillips has escaped unharmed from Somali pirates provoked jubilant celebrations in Mombasa port Sunday.

The thundering horn of Phillips’ ship, the Maersk Alabama, sounded three times and flares were fired into the night sky.

“He’s a national hero,” shouted one of his crewmen from the Maersk Alabama to journalists gathered by the ship at the Mombasa docks. “We’re all excited about the captain being freed.”

The 19 crew whooped with joy at the news that their captain was free after a tense, five-day standoff.

U.S. Navy SEALs shot three armed pirates who were holding Phillips hostage on the lifeboat where he had been held captive since Wednesday, according to CNN. This report from the Navy states that Navy special forces believed Phillips was in "imminent danger" and they shot the pirates. This changes the initial report that said Phillips jumped into the water from the lifeboat and then the Navy SEALs shot the pirates dead to protect him.

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