Pirates! Archives
How to Deal with Pirates
By John
South Park tackles a knotty one. Mild content warning for racism, language, anti-Semitism, and -- well, it's South Park.
Just a quick synopsis: Eric Cartman travels to Somalia to "live the Pirate life," and somehow manages to recruit an entire gang of Somali pirates. This clip caps off the episode.
Breaking News: Jews on Cruise Defuse Pirates' Ruse!
By Lt Col P
Great news off the Horn of Africa:
ROME — An Italian cruise ship with 1,500 people on board fended off a pirate attack far off the coast of Somalia when its Israeli private security forces exchanged fire with the bandits and drove them away, the commander said Sunday.Cmdr. Ciro Pinto told Italian state radio that six men in a small white speed boat approached the Msc Melody and opened fire Saturday night, but retreated after the Israeli security officers aboard the cruise ship returned fire.
I like the way they roll! Looks like one cruise line isn't shy of a fight. "Pinto said the pirates fired with automatic weapons, slightly damaging the liner, and tried to put a ladder on board. But he said they were unable to climb aboard. The commander said his security forces opened fire with pistols, and the ANSA news agency said the pistols had been kept in a safe under the joint control of the commander and security chief."
That's my only point of tactical criticism-- you have to arm them properly; pistols cut the corned beef today, but tomorrow, who knows. Long guns give them stand-off, and knock-down power. Either way, it looks like our kosher condottieri kept their cool and did a fine job. Good work boys! Shtick it to 'em!
"Let Them Experience a Pirate Attack..."
By Lt Col P
Excellent online discussion today with one of the crewmen from the Maersk Alabama.
This guy has his head one hundred percent in the game. Not someone to be trifled with.
One point is crystal clear, for applies equally to citizens as well as merchant crews-- gun control doesn't work.
Pirate Freakshow Begins
By Lt Col P
Heeeeeeeeeere we go:
Smiling Somali Pirate Weeps in Federal Court in New York City, Hearing Reopened to Public
Arrogant, snarling, posturing, cruel; and when under the gun, craven and prostrate. That's your average Somali gunman, ashore or afloat. You can-- you must-- respect him as an adversary because he gives as good he gets, and if you show any weakness you'll regret it. If you live long enough. The bright side is that he understands the use of force, he expects to get hammered if he gets caught out. Charity, justice, fairness? Not in his vocabulary. If we want to really give him something to cry about, we should flatten his village, burn his boats, slaughter his flocks and scatter his family.
But instead we get him staying on our dime, his family sure to be brought over (good luck getting rid of them), and legal agitators flanking him. Hell, we'll probably fly in khat shipments. Can't have the little savage detoxing on us.
Ron Kuby, a New York-based civil rights lawyer, said he has been in discussions about forming a legal team to represent the Somalian."I think in this particular case, there's a grave question as to whether America was in violation of principles of truce in warfare on the high seas," said Kuby.
"This man seemed to come onto the Bainbridge under a flag of truce to negotiate. He was then captured. There is a question whether he is lawfully in American custody and serious questions as to whether he can be prosecuted because of his age."
He'll be laughing, and we'll be weeping.
More Detail on Capt Phillips Rescue
By Lt Col P
The WaPo has some good detail on the whole operation. We can't say enough about the SEALs, and the captain and crew of BAINBRIDGE. Fine work by all hands.
This ended well. We have our man back, and we drew a little blood. But the problem persists. We can't wait for hostages to be taken, and then expect every action to end as successfully. No, we have to do more.
Fred Ikle offers a plan. I'm with him. (Except who needs the Security Council to authorize a blockade??) One his most important points is not to become excessively legalistic, to the extent that we forget that we have an obligation to protect our interests, our vessels and citizens. This is not a case where arrests and prosecutions will answer; what are we going to do with the suspects and convicts anyway-- send them to Gitmo?
We need a complete fore-to-aft policy that includes a way to arm merchant ship crews, a change in the Rules of Engagement that marks the pirates as hostile, an aggressive campaign of raids ashore and boardings at sea, and a steadfast commitment to all of those measures. Yes, there will probably be casualties, but we are talking here about our national interests. We should not be deterred.
Wallowing
By Lt Col P
The unfortunate Captain Phillips is still a captive of the Somali pirates who boarded his vessel and took him off in a lifeboat. That unpowered craft is now wallowing, drifting toward shore, while being shadowed by vessels of the US Navy.
Wallowing is the right word for it.
US prestige and national honor are also wallowing, and appear to be adrift. This is really disgraceful. I do understand the imperative to get the good man back alive, but the unmistakeable impression is that we don't have the stomach for action. Uncomplimentary comparisons are being drawn between one J. Carter (Democrat of Georgia), who held the office of President from January 1977 to January 1981, and one B. H. Obama (Democrat of Indonesia, Illinois and points in between). The highlight of Mr Carter's adminstration, if one can put aside the double-digit inflation, unemployment and general malaise, was the seizure and captivity of US diplomats in Iran for some 400 days. The demands of the crisis proved insuperable for Mr Carter, but in all fairness to him it presented quite the problem. The US military did not possess the sort of fully formed, exercised, and honed special operations forces that it has today; and despite a mighty attempt by some of our best and brightest the images of the failed rescue mission in Iran encapsulate the impotence and incompetence of that administration.
But 2009 ain't 1980. Not only do we possess the right forces to take decisive action, but we own the seas and skies in the area. We can close to within any distance we choose and can hold forces there for as long as we choose. Whereas in Iran there were precious few options, off Somalia there are many. No, the problem here appears to be a lack of will, and a crisis of leadership. Perhaps we should begin to refer to the current Commander-in-Chief as "Carter 44," but perhaps that wouldn't be fair to the esteemed former President.
So, what is to be done? First, we have to get our man back. I am certain that hard men are at this minute are refining a variety of COAs to get that done. (But how far up the chain of command does "hard" go?) Second, the four pirates who who started this mess need to die. Third, we need to unilaterally implement measures to ensure that cargo vessels sailing under the US flag can defend themselves, and need not fear an approach by any boat. Fourth, we need to recognize these pirates as hostiles, and implement the appropriate rules of engagement, including taking, seizing, burning or destroying their craft, and eliminating their nests ashore. No one who goes out to sea to attack and seize any vessel should survive to see the land again. Let their bodies wash up on shore. The last set of tasks should be done as violently as possible, in front of as many cameras as care to watch the spectacle.
The things at risk here amount to far greater than ransom money and lost cargo. There are the lives of our citizens and of the other mariners who ply those waters. There is freedom of the seas. And there is the incalculable wealth of our national honor. These things are all worth fighting for. We have the forces, we have the capability, formed exercised and ready. Are we willing? Or are we just wallowing?
Millions for defense, not a penny in tribute
By Richard S. Lowry
USS Boxer and elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are steaming toward the site of Captain Phillips captivity.
The pirates will not be happy campers if Battalion Landing Team 1/1 arrives before they release their American captive. Boxer carries Cobras, Hueys, AMTRACs, Light Armored Vehicles and nearly 2,000 Marines. Remember, the AMTRACs and LAVs are seaworthy. They are armed with 25mm cannon, .50 cal machine guns and mk19 grenade launchers.
Let's hope that we don't succumb to the pirates' demands. We must show them that American vessels are not easy targets.
Maersk Alabama: No Negotiation
By Bull Nav
Take it down. Now.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Somali pirates Wednesday hijacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship with 21 crew members aboard, a diplomat and a U.S. Navy spokesman said. The Kenya-based diplomat identified the vessel as the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama and said all the crew members are American. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The U.S. Navy confirmed that a U.S. flagged ship with 21 members of crew was hijacked early Wednesday off the eastern coast of Somalia.Piracy was one of the reasons we have a Navy. We need to use swift, decisive force now to kill the pirates on this ship and send a message to all the other ones out there waiting.
Note that this is the first US flagged merchant ship that has been captured by pirates off Somalis.
REAR ADM McKNIGHT '78: Heard From Today
By Lt Col P
We were invited to this week's Bloggers Roundtable, at which the guest was none other than Rear Admiral Terry McKnight, VMI '78, currently commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2. The topic was piracy.
I was all set to call in until last-minute work issues intervened. I did submit a couple of questions, and the hosts were good enought to forward them to RADM McKnight, who was more than good enough to reply personally. A good session:
“The combination of the coalition working together and the maritime community has decreased the pirate activity over the past couple of months,” U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Terry McKnight told bloggers and online journalists during the DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable today. Rear Adm. McKnight is the Expeditionary Strike Group 2/Commander, Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden. McKnight also gave a brief current history of piracy in the region and the coalition and maritime community efforts to protect free commerce across the seas."
I asked if I could post those questions and replies; in the meantime the transcript is here.
Update: The good Admiral has give the OK for me to post my questions and his answers:
Q: Comparisons of the HOA piracy to the Barbary Wars are frequently drawn. To what extent are these valid, and therefore a basis for historical analysis, and formulation of a firm and effective policy?
A: In historical terms, there are a couple notable similarities. The Barbary pirates operated off the northern coast of the African continent, but on the Atlantic side, whereas the Somali pirates are operating in the Gulf of Aden. Back in 1815, the piracy problem had gotten so out of hand that Europe called on Britain to help suppress it. Fast-forward nearly 200 years and we're facing a newer piracy epidemic, one that involves AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenades instead of swords and cannons. What hasn't changed though is that the international community has called for nations to help combat that epidemic. That's what CTF 151 is here to help accomplish but we can't do it alone.
As we progress as a task force, we need to continue to work with other nations and their navies to help protect and foster the flow of free commerce throughout the Gulf of Aden. This is a problem faced by all, not by a few. Our policies will continue to focus on finding the pirates, trying to catch them in the act and acquire the evidence needed to prosecute them in a court of law. Working together as a coalition, we can help stem the flow of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
Q: Do you view the arrival of the P.L.A.N. on the scene at HOA as an ominous development, and if so, what can be done about it?
A: Absolutely not. I think its great the Chinese are out here. This should truly show the world that as professional navies, we are faced by a common problem and that we can work together to try and solve it. Having the Chinese here reinforces the fact that piracy is an international problem that requires an international answer.
Monday Miscellany
By Lt Col P
First off-- UJ at B5 beat me to it, but I was planning a period of instruction on artillery munitions. It seems that every other photo from Operation Cast Lead is of long tendrils of white smoke and fire emanating from airbursts. Those, dear readers, are the the M825 155mm felt-wedge projectiles. (Photo lifted from B5, source unknown.)
Second-- Meet the Harriet Miers of the incoming administration. UJ and MMM weigh in. What, there was no one more qualified for this critical post?? In the middle of an intel-intensive long war??
Third-- Gun owners, gird your loins. Get ready to write all of your elected representatives, stand by to raise hell. In the mean time, repeat after me...ammo, ammo, ammo, magazines, magazines, magazines, guns, guns, guns...
Fourth-- Condolences to the Bush family on the death of their cat, India. :-( I am a confirmed cat person, so this strikes me hard. Poor kitty.
Sounds Like a P.L.A.N.
By Lt Col P
A Red Chinese naval squadron is mounting out for the Gulf of Aden to add its weight to the fight against rampant piracy. I have little doubt that they are sending their varsity squad, and I don't think we should view this as a good thing.
The three vessels — two destroyers and a supply ship — may increase worries about growing Chinese military power. The mission will also challenge China's ability to cooperate [who says they're going to cooperate?] with other naval forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest sea lanes.
I think that the Western allies' lack of decisive operations against these barbarians has opened the door to the Chinese. After all, nature abhors a vaccuum. This is a tailor-made for the P.R.C. to step in, and do what the traditional naval powers have been unwilling or incapable of doing. If they can pull it off, this will greatly enhance their prestige on the international scene, and will provide significant justification for nations whose vessels have to ply those waters to view the Chinese as a benevolent power. All of that will be to our detriment.
Oh, and I do expect they'll have some growing pains with both tactics and sustainment. But don't you think for a minute that they won't learn their lessons, and prepare diligently for greater things to come.
Deploying ships to the Gulf of Aden marks a significant step in the evolution of China's navy, according to a report by Stratfor, an Austin, Texas-based intelligence company. The mission will be complicated, offering vital on-the-job training in refueling, resupply and repairs far from home as well as patrolling for pirates, Stratfor said.
All of the foregoing will be to our detriment. We have only ourselves to blame.
AP Continues to drool over "brazen" Pirates
By Charlie
I had to create a new category to highlight press reports talking up the barbarian, terrorist, pirates that are plaguing shipping lanes. Here is the latest:
Somali pirates transform villages into boomtowns
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's increasingly brazen pirates are building sprawling stone houses, cruising in luxury cars, marrying beautiful women — even hiring caterers to prepare Western-style food for their hostages.
Piracy: The American/Somali Dream. Huge houses, pimped rides, gorgeous women: these await you if you join the Somali pirate brigands today!
There is a way to stop piracy, and it quickly came to light early on in our nation's history when we were first challenged with the threat of piracy off of Africa's coast. Stephen Decatur, the Naval Jack Bauer of the early 1800's, would likely have a simple answer to piracy: force. But, unfortunately nowadays "Rules frustrate anti-piracy efforts" according to the BBC>
The problem these days, however, is that the operation is hemmed in by rules and regulations.
In 1815 the American Cmdr Stephen Decatur, sent to stop the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean, simply captured the flagship of the Algerian Dey and forced a capitulation. When the Dey later repudiated the agreement, the British and Dutch bombarded Algiers.These days, there is no question of a bombardment of the port of Eyl, the main pirate base on the Somali coast. That might be the most effective response but it would require a UN Security Council resolution.
Heavens! Bomb Somalia? That's probably never happened... More:
There has also been a legal opinion by the Foreign Office in London that captured pirates cannot necessarily be sent back to whatever authorities can be found in Somalia, in case they are subject to harsh treatment. That would contravene the British Human Rights Act. The pirates captured in the Royal Navy action have now been handed over not to Somalia, but Kenya.The Law of the Sea Convention places limitations on daring action. Under Article 100 of the convention a warship has first to send an officer-led party to board a suspected pirate ship to verify any suspicions.
The warship cannot just open fire. Any inspection has to be carried out "with all possible consideration". That sounds rather tentative.
"The authorities these days have a real problem because of international law. There are measures ship owners can take like having fire hoses to aim at the pirates, acoustic devices to hurt their hearing or electric fences but, as in the days of the Caribbean pirates, everything is on the pirates' side.
"Modern pirates use very similar methods to the old. They shadow and then board their victims. They usually outnumber the small crew on board the ship.
Here's a shot in the dark, but instead of fire hoses, how about automatic weapons. Its a big ocean, and no one is likely to miss a pirate crew if the suddenly "disappear" after attempting to board an up-armed merchant vessel...
A slightly more objective FOX news article gives us a rundown of the top 10 recent successes by the pirates (below the fold).
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