While the media’s coverage of the problem with pirates around Africa comes and goes, the problem is always there. The good news is that the military isn’t run like the media. In fact, they’re over there now keeping the waters safe for people from all over the world.
April 10, the USS Ashland was fired upon by a skiff manned by suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 330 nautical miles off the coast of Djibouti.
During the attack, the Ashland received small arms fire on the port side from the six-man crew of suspected pirates aboard the skiff. The Ashland, in accordance with her rules of engagement, returned fire.
USS Ashland fired two rounds at the skiff from her MK-38 Mod 2, 25-mm gun.
The skiff caught fire and the suspected pirates abandoned the skiff. The Ashland deployed her rigid-hull inflatable boats to assist the pirates who were in the water near their skiff.
I don’t know – seems like they picked a fight with the wrong ship, eh?
Capt. John Bruening, commanding officer, Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, expressed the commitment of the ships in the Nassau ARG to ensuring the success of creating a stable and secure maritime environment.
“This is why we are here,” said Bruening. “It is so much more than just putting a stop to the illegal activities of only one pirate skiff. It is about fostering an environment that will give every nation the freedom to navigate the seas without fear of attack.”
The U.S. Navy has been able to capture a total of 21 suspected pirates in early April 2010. Two of these events were precipitated by attacks on the U.S. vessels, while the third was in response to a fellow mariner’s call for help.
However you look at it, they’re doing a good job.
Sgt. Stryker out.
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USS Ashland Captures Pirates
Visit, board, search and seizure team members arrive on the scene in a rigid hull inflatable boat to pull suspected pirates from the sea to be brought to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Ashland is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky)
Suspected pirates skiff burns after being burnt near the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Ashland is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting Maritime Security Operationsand Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo/Chief Petty Officer Harry J. Storms)
Suspected pirates skiff burns after being destroyed near the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Ashland is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting Maritime Security Operationsand Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo/Chief Petty Officer Harry J. Storms)
Visit, board, search and seizure team members pull suspected pirates from the sea to be brought to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Ashland is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently supporting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky)