I understand theres also some problems with the ROE on that patrol. Anybody has any info on that? Partially due to the Indian Navy "accident" with the fishing trawler...
All the best to the chaps!
Originally posted by Atobe:
US Intelligence is concerned that Al Qaeda has already inflitrated their people into this lawless stretch of land that has a wide coastal front, and at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden that leads to the Suez Canal in the north.The US had problems with the Somalis before - in a UN sanctioned operation - that was made famous in the movie "Black Hawk Down".
The pirates may not want to confront the growing fleet of naval vessels in this UN sanctioned international effort to stop piracy, but Al Qaeda may sneek into this area, and disguise themselves as pirates to blow up either a naval vessel, or a hijacked vessel, or both.
The attempt to blow up a naval vessel can be made by disguising themselves as a "hijacked vessel" and coming alongside a naval craft before blowing up both the naval craft and the "hijacked vessel".
Alternatively, Al Qaeda operatives with some more daring Somali pirates could board a naval warship in the dark of night, and takeover the entire vessel.
Our LST is especially vulnerable with low open passages - near the waterline - on both sides of the ship running towards the aft section, the personnel on guard duty will have to be extra alert to any divers attempting to climb onboard.
With a small crew onboard, and half strength on duty at night, the vessel becomes more vulnerable to being hijacked.
It will be the attention seeking publicity that Al Qaeda need.
Book from Michael Smith indicate that the American did not want to go back into Somalia so the Jordanian special force gone into Somalia and take out Al Qaeda leaders. I am sure there are still embeded human intel in that country.
But on the note of possible night boarding of LST, they would have well equip navigation equipment and big enough boats to sail thru the night don't you think so?
Originally posted by Arapahoe:Book from Michael Smith indicate that the American did not want to go back into Somalia so the Jordanian special force gone into Somalia and take out Al Qaeda leaders. I am sure there are still embeded human intel in that country.
But on the note of possible night boarding of LST, they would have well equip navigation equipment and big enough boats to sail thru the night don't you think so?
During WW2, the Special Forces used kayaks to stealthily paddle across 100 km and had the good fortune of small islands to conceal their advance towards Singapore.
For those determined to attack one of these more vulnerable naval crafts - like our LST - there is nothing to stop their creativity in attempting to achieve their goals.
It will take daring, creativity to make the impossible and the least expected to happen - that was how the Israelis did their stuff in the daring ‘Israeli Raid on Entebbe Airport, Uganda’ in 1976.
It is great to surprise the bad guys, but it will be a smack in the face when the bad guys spring one on our own.
With the millions collected in ransom, there is enough cash to purchase the best scuba equipment; the best diving scooters to cover the distances between shore and the target out at sea; the best weapons with silencers; the best Commando tools to attack such a prized naval assets.
By themselves, the Somalis may not have any interests to antagonise the International Force and stir them to attack the pirates hideouts on shore.
Unfortunately, Al Qaeda will be too eager to exploit the situation in which the Somali piracy efforts are being blocked, and Al Qaeda will assist the pirates and motivate the Somalis to co-operate and jointly deal with the International Naval Force.
Originally posted by Shotgun:I understand theres also some problems with the ROE on that patrol. Anybody has any info on that? Partially due to the Indian Navy "accident" with the fishing trawler...
Story Number: NNS090130-19
Release Date: 1/30/2009 3:38:00 PM
U.N. Resolution 1846, approved by the United Nations Security Council on Dec. 2, authorizes states and regional organizations cooperating with the Somali transitional government to enter Somalia's territorial waters and use "all necessary means" to combat piracy. Two weeks later, U.N. Resolution 1851 was approved, and calls for those states and organizations to "actively participate in defeating piracy and armed robbery off Somalia's coast by deploying naval vessels and military aircraft, and through seizure and disposition of boats and arms used in the commission of those crimes."
Story Number: NNS090130-19
Release Date: 1/30/2009 3:38:00 PM
One more on rules of engagement. Do all the nations have different rules of engagement? And can you give us a feel for the most extreme, the French or the Danes, they go in there and capture pirates, versus others who don't?
ADM. GORTNEY: All of the nations are operating under the authorities from the UNSCR. However, different nations have different -- might be more restrictive than the UNSCRs. So unless they're operating within the coalition, they're operating underneath their national authorities.
i think it is safe to say CTF 151 have their own ROE while independents will operate under their national authorities.
"irate abduction in Malacca Strait after long lull
Hindu - 15 hours ago
Kuala Lumpur (AP): Armed pirates kidnapped two crew of a Singapore-managed tug and barge in the Malacca Strait, raising fears of renewed insecurity in the busy shipping route, a maritime watchdog said on Saturday.
Two sailors kidnapped by pirates TODAYonline
Two sailors kidnapped in Malacca Strait: source AFP
Melbourne Herald Sun - AsiaOne
all 37 news articles »
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Time to come back and look after one's own backyard...
Nice... they hijacked a tug/barge and made off with a huge haul of navigation equipment and 2 hostages. The pirates in Somalia really make these guys look like amateurs.
We are going there to support and patrol. Not to fight a war.
Andrew,
There are adequate assets for SoM patrols. The CTF151 ops are merely taking assets that were deployed under the MNF auspices initially. We still contribute one LPD per mission, so to speak.
The Trilateral patrols are what the SoM needs, if you look at the geographical nature of our waterways and coastal features of neighbouring islands.