Today With President Barack Obama: Navy Seals Rescue Captain

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Navy Seals Rescue Captain

Pirates taken out while the captain "relieves himself."

Update 3:

ABC: With a one of the four pirates who had been holding Capt. Richard Phillips, 53, on a lifeboat negotiating his release on board the U.S.S. Bainbridge, special forces in the area saw Phillips move to the side of the lifeboat to relieve himself, a senior U.S. official told George Stephanopoulos, ABC News' chief Washington correspondent.

At that point, forces saw their opportunity and killed the other three pirates on the lifeboat, the source told Stephanopoulos.

Update 2: from Admiral Bill Gortney: The captain was rescued 12:19 p.m. eastern time. The Maersk crew and Phillips were heroic, he said. The military had the authority to take action if the captain's life was in imminent danger. The order to take action were standing orders that came directly from the president.
The pirates aimed their guns at the captain and the the Navy killed the pirates. One of the pirates had jumped off the lifeboat prior to all this and negotiators were working with him. The captain doesn't appear to have made a second attempt to jump off the boat, contrary to earlier reporting by CNN, ABC and others. Gortney is still awaiting more details on that.
Why did the Navy have troubles taking down a lifeboat? Gortney says the boat is water tight, designed to be sustainable in rough waters and was difficult to board. It takes a while to work through the negotiation process just to communicate, he said.
How did the pirates die? The snipers were aboard the Bainbridge when the pirates were shot. The lifeboat was 25 meters away from the Bainbridge.

What were you negotiating? It was a hostage negotiation. We were seeking to get the safe return of the captain, Gortney said.

Update: John Reinhart, Maersk Line CEO, said everyone--the government, military and the company worked tirelessly to free Richard Phillips. Reinhart talked to Richard who told him: "John, I'm just the byline. The heroes are the Navy, the Seals and those who have brought me home."
Reinhart didn't take questions and said the Navy will provide operational details later.
Original post:
This is great news, especially after all of the naysaying on the morning political shows. I'm so glad the priority was saving the captain.

The U.S. Navy has rescued the American sea captain held by Somali pirates.

A senior U.S. intelligence official said hostage Richard Phillips was not hurt in what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast on Sunday. Phillips was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.

The official said three pirates were killed and one was injured. Read more at MSNBC

Obama's statement:

I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer. His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

I am also very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips’s safe recovery.

We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.

I share the country’s admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans.

ABC says the captain may have jumped again and this time they fired on the pirates.
Here is the Navy's press release:

Manama, BAHRAIN (BNO NEWS) -- At approximately 7:19 p.m (12:19 p.m. EDT) U.S. naval forces rescued Capt. Richard Phillips, the master of Motor Vessel Maersk-Alabama.

"This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible" said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "The actions of Capt. Phillips and the civilian mariners of Maersk-Alabama were heroic. They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Capt. Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew."

Following the rescue, Phillips was initially taken aboard the Norfolk, Va. based guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Phillips was subsequently flown to the San Diego based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably.

U.S. military forces have one pirate in custody, three were killed in the rescue.

A Pentagon press briefing with Navy Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, is planned for later today. The Admiral will provide additional details regarding the rescue operation from his headquarters in Bahrain via satellite.