Author Topic: SEALs rescue American in Somalia (Read 7700 times)

T.O.M. · « **on:** January 25, 2012, 11:05:10 AM »

On my mobile so can't link to story...help appreciated...but news is reporting a SEAL team rescued an American and a Dane being held by Somali pirates. About damn time we did something like this. God knows we have the capabilities, if we have the spine to use them.

Nick1911 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:13:18 AM »

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/world/africa/us-raid-frees-2-hostages-from-somali-pirates.html?_r=2&hp

Pharmacology · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:28:47 AM »

Stories like this make me want to put on a Hulkamania! shirt and start yelling "AMERICA!"

Good on those seals, man; I would *not* have the guts to do that in a million years.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:33:32 PM »

Chris, it appears you are incorrect. Barack Obama actually carried out the operation. The SEALs were merely the automatons he used in this act of dauntless courage.

MillCreek · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2012, 02:58:45 PM »

Some Somali representatives of the pirates are complaining that nine pirates were summarily shot by the SEALS. Boo fricking hoo, I say.

HankB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2012, 03:24:19 PM »

I'm glad for the rescue. I'm especially happy that there are nine few pirates today.

If I knew any of the SEALS involved, I'd buy 'em a beer.

As for the rescuees . . . they were with some unarmed, unprotected "aid" misson operating along the ill-defined border with "pirate country." That's not the mark of a high intellect, rather like those three hikers who were vacationing - vacationing! - in Iraq when nabbed by Iran.

Wonder if a cold dash of reality has cured them of their blissninny world view.

brimic · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2012, 03:28:09 PM »

How did the OWS goobers get Time's 'person of the year' instead of Seal Team 6?
One group represents whiny over-inflated self-esteems who want more given to them, the other represents sacrifice, courage, and American asskickingnesss.

Fitz · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2012, 03:28:50 PM »

Here's what bothers me....

Obama says this:

“The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people,” he added.

Yet, the same article says 10 million in ransoms have been paid... and that the gunmen refused 1.5 million for these two

So let me get this straight... we're PAYING RANSOMS NOW?

No wonder abductions are getting so popular in Somalia.... it's FRIGGIN WORKING!

Nick1911 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2012, 03:31:37 PM »

I don't think our government pays ransoms; but I believe private companies routinely do. Hell, I wouldn't be supprised if they are insured for that.

French G. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2012, 03:32:34 PM »

Quote from: Fitz on January 25, 2012, 03:28:50 PM

Here's what bothers me....

Obama says this:

“The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people,” he added.

Yet, the same article says 10 million in ransoms have been paid... and that the gunmen refused 1.5 million for these two

So let me get this straight... we're PAYING RANSOMS NOW?

No wonder abductions are getting so popular in Somalia.... it's FRIGGIN WORKING!

Exactly, it's big bidness. Highjack ship, wait, profit. Same with people.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:17:23 PM »

Quote from: Nick1911 on January 25, 2012, 03:31:37 PM

I don't think our government pays ransoms; but I believe private companies routinely do. Hell, I wouldn't be supprised if they are insured for that.

Of all the times the Govt supposedly uses it's military forces on behalf of big business, this is one time when I very much agree with it. My only regret on the story is that we only killed 9 pirates.

MillCreek · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:18:59 PM »

In this case, it was actually on behalf of a NGO: an organization in Denmark that works to reduce or eliminate the use of land mines and to remove existing minefields.

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:49:53 PM »

I don't know, Fistful. With his comment, "As commander in chief, I couldn't be prouder of the troops", it sounds like he learned to not grandstand quite as much as he did with the bin Laden assassination.

This is really cool stuff, though. It reminds me of the Israeli raid on Entebbe. Our special forces guys are incredible.

MillCreek · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:08:56 PM »

I read a report stating that the SEALS parachuted in for stealth purposes and then called for helicopters for egress. It must be unusual to parachute in anymore.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2012, 08:30:36 PM »

Quote from: MechAg94 on January 25, 2012, 04:17:23 PM

Of all the times the Govt supposedly uses it's military forces on behalf of big business, this is one time when I very much agree with it. My only regret on the story is that we only killed 9 pirates.

Well, they only had so many available...

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2012, 09:22:30 PM »

Quote from: brimic on January 25, 2012, 03:28:09 PM

How did the OWS goobers get Time's 'person of the year' instead of Seal Team 6?
One group represents whiny over-inflated self-esteems who want more given to them, the other represents sacrifice, courage, and American asskickingnesss.

You answered your own question.

SADShooter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 09:49:15 PM »

It's a win for the good guys. I'm proud and grateful for the courage and skill of our warriors. This isn't the first time men risked themselves and a /diplomatic tact hat on/ leader of lesser caliber claimed credit. It won't be the last.

Phyphor · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 09:53:24 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on January 25, 2012, 02:58:45 PM

Some Somali representatives of the pirates are complaining that nine pirates were summarily shot by the SEALS. Boo fricking hoo, I say.

I Riposte with "Only 9?"

roo_ster · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 10:50:56 PM »

Quote from: Monkeyleg on January 25, 2012, 06:49:53 PM

Our special forces guys are incredible.

True, that.

What's more, is that they are examples of what a man of moderately above-average intellect, physicality, and drive can do when given the right training and tools. These are not super-men, just men. The key to producing such men in quantity is in the realm of the moral. "Virtu," as Machiavelli would write.

They are both an inspiring example and an indictment.

Quote from: MillCreek on January 25, 2012, 07:08:56 PM

I read a report stating that the SEALS parachuted in for stealth purposes and then called for helicopters for egress. It must be unusual to parachute in anymore.

It is the bread-and-butter for several SOF units. For example, an airfield seizure many times will begin with our men jumping directly on to the airfield from ~500' (see Grenada, Panama, etc.). Dropping a company of Rangers (with more to follow) into even a well-secured airfield is like dropping a couple fox terriers into a pen full of rats.

MillCreek · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2012, 10:57:18 PM »

^^^ True. I just thought that these days, helicopters were the de-facto choice for small unit insertion.

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:17:36 PM »

Halo/haho jumps give small units like SEALS the ability to quietly insert that helos don't. Reading some of the recent books published by seals, the haho jumps give them the ability to insert miles and miles from the actual jump point.

roo_ster · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2012, 11:19:11 PM »

Quote from: MillCreek on January 25, 2012, 10:57:18 PM

^^^ True. I just thought that these days, helicopters were the de-facto choice for small unit insertion.

Too slow & noisy for some operations. Also, RW range blows.

Quote from: JamisJockey on January 25, 2012, 11:17:36 PM

Halo/haho jumps give small units like SEALS the ability to quietly insert that helos don't. Reading some of the recent books published by seals, the haho jumps give them the ability to insert miles and miles from the actual jump point.

^^^ Another option if you don't need much combat power.

French G. · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2012, 05:07:35 AM »

I keep watching the wingsuit videos over at Preacherman's, you know the SF has to be looking at those. Jump at 40K and 20 lateral miles from the target or something.

Jamisjockey · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2012, 07:48:00 AM »

Quote from: French G. on January 26, 2012, 05:07:35 AM

I keep watching the wingsuit videos over at Preacherman's, you know the SF has to be looking at those. Jump at 40K and 20 lateral miles from the target or something.

They already do that with High Altitude High Opening jumps. And they don't have to pop a chute close to the target, thus not revealing they are inbound. (A chute pop is quite loud at night in the desert)

Quote from: roo_ster on January 25, 2012, 11:19:11 PM

Too slow & noisy for some operations. Also, RW range blows.

^^^ Another option if you don't need much combat power.

I dunno. Two sticks of seals is a chunk of combat power in my book. Generally a good way to give a group of bad guys a very bad day.

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2012, 09:25:49 AM »

Quote from: JamisJockey on January 26, 2012, 07:48:00 AM

I dunno. Two sticks of seals is a chunk of combat power in my book. Generally a good way to give a group of bad guys a very bad day.

Understatement of the year in my opinion.... :D

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Author Topic: SEALs rescue American in Somalia (Read 7700 times)