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April 13, 2009
B.Hussein Obama Did NOT Give The Order
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Maersk: Captain Grateful to U.S. Navy
"I am just a byline, the heroes are the Navy, the Seals and those that have brought me home." - Capt. Richard Phillips
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From Blackfive:...Obama did not give the order.
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.
"WASHINGTON (AP)—Administration officials say President Barack Obama approved the military operation that rescued a U.S. captain held hostage by Somali pirates."
Obama did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already would have had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement. If there are innocents about to be slaughtered the same reasoning that authorizes self defense also covers an imminent execution unless the ROE specifically forbid it.The AP is making it sound like there was an active rescue ordered by the President. It was not, there was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good on Obama for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt.
Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of all naval forces in the Middle East, told a Pentagon news conference that the USS Bainbridge had been towing the lifeboat holding the pirates and Capt. Phillips into calmer waters when Navy Seal sharpshooters, positioned at the tail of the ship, saw the head and shoulders of the three remaining pirates, with one of them pointing an AK-47 machine gun at the head of Capt. Phillips.
Adm. Gortney said the Navy officer in charge of the operation ordered the pirates to be fired upon.
Before the incident, Adm. Gortney said U.S. officials had hoped to resolve the standoff peacefully.
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Wild Thing's comment......
Thank you to Blackfive for this update and the breakdown of what happened.
Obama did not order an operation, but instead was still seeking a negotiated solution. Most of the Main Stream Media will print and believe anything that makes Obama look good.
The Navy threw Hussein under the bus. They made it super clear Obama had nothing to do with the rescue. They cut him off at the knees. Good for the Navy for speaking the truth.
The thief squatting in our White House is a liar and coward, we are going to see articles and people in a lot of the media and from the White House as well, despicably taking credit for the bravery and initiative bravery and initiative of real men doing what he would NEVER have the balls to even think about, let alone attempt.
Posted by Wild Thing at April 13, 2009 06:48 AM
Comments
This makes more sense. If what the AP says is true then it took 5 days for Hussein to make a decision, what happens if there is a serious problem ? And he had to issue the order 2 times ? That makes no sense at all.
HUssein, didn't know what to do and was probably trying to negotiate with the Solmali's and appease them.
The Navy acted as it should and saved Husseins bacon. Thats one.
Posted by: Mark at April 13, 2009 08:14 AM
Hooray for my Navy Brothers.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas"
SSgt Steve Gaston, USMC(P)
DFW Honor Guard Volunteer
Iraq Veterans Services Volunteer
Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, Deputy
Big D Detachment, Marine Corps League, Chaplain
5th Marine Division Assoc., Communications and Organization
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Communications and Organization
Posted by: Steve Gaston at April 13, 2009 08:14 AM
Of course he didn't. He'd rather deal with how much more he can tax us with than helping some captain of a supply ship in the middle of some ocean somewhere. It almost appears that Somalia wants us to go to war--that they are goading us on to do something. That's despicable. And our illustrious leader is doing nothing about it.
Posted by: Lynn at April 13, 2009 08:16 AM
As an American citizen, when an American's life is in danger and the military is on hand, I don't want them waiting for an order from Obama to save his life. That decision should be left to the ranking member at the scene. That should be a standing order. Screw political correctness, world opinion, "international law" and political ideals. At the present time the American military reigns supreme and Obama is trying to destroy it.
Bob A.
Posted by: Bob A at April 13, 2009 08:34 AM
In actuality, Obama did make the right decision by authorizing the on-scene commander to take action if he felt the hostage was in danger. Think back to Bill Clinton when a sniper team had bin Laden in their sights and they had to radio in for permission to shoot, which was denied.
The one thing I wonder if this couldn't have been done a couple of days earlier?
Maybe now, all US ships traveling that area will have armed crew members. A couple .05 calibers would work a whole lot better than fire hoses. Even still, a couple M-16's will do the trick.
Posted by: BobF at April 13, 2009 11:07 AM
As I understand it from reading Blackfive, the White House gave decision making to the on-the-scene people. My bet is that that decision making power went all the way down to the head of the sniper team. That is as it should be and it worked out.
International Maritime Law does not allow commercial vessels to be armed. The pirates know this and that is why only four or five in small fast boats can take over such large ships with large crews. The recent incidents of piracy around the world show a need to change this law. What a terrific opportunity for secuity outfits like Blackwater it would be if commercial shipping could hire armed guards.
Posted by: TomR at April 13, 2009 12:27 PM
TomR, I was watching Fox News and they had a couple maritime legal experts on. The experts said there are no international laws preventing merchant ships from being armed.
Reading some articles on crew members being armed, the biggest fear seems to be the pirates shooting back and a firefight starting. I would think merchant sailors would rather fight back than lay down and surrender, especially if they're Americans. They're just as tough as their Navy counterparts and would probably kick some serious butt if allowed to.
Posted by: BobF at April 13, 2009 01:21 PM
Mark, it is funny, today on the various talk
shows I have listened to on the radio, every
one of the conservatives have said the same
thing. They are all thanking the military
and saying how obama was MIA.
Rush, and Laura are the ones I heard so far
today.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 13, 2009 05:05 PM
Steve Gaston,...AMEN to that!
Good to see you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 13, 2009 05:10 PM
Lynn,I agree, it is despicable and the media
today has been praising Obama. All except
for the talk shows that are conservative.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 13, 2009 05:12 PM
Bob A., good one, I agree, I don't want
them counting on Obama for anything, not
the go ahead not anything. Just do what
needs to be done.
I agree Bob.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 13, 2009 05:15 PM
