US to head anti-pirate patrols off Somalia

US commander to lead new international naval mission to battle Somali pirates

Jan 8, 2009

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(DUBAI, United Arab Emirates) The U.S. Navy says one of its commanders will lead a new international force to battle pirates off the coast of Somalia.

More than 20 nations are expected to take part in the mission once it is fully under way later this month. The announcement Thursday by U.S. Navy officials in Bahrain did not list the countries participating, but said the force will be headed by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight.

Merchant fleets have been calling for a stronger military response to pirates after a sharp escalation in attacks last year. At least 111 ships were attacked and more than 40 of them commandeered.

It is not clear whether the new anti-pirate force will have any expanded powers to battle pirates.

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Posted By: FoxyGramps @ 11/20/2008 4:04:11 AM

Does no one remember the WW1 "Q" ships. These were ships looking like harmless merchant ships. German Subs would stop them , preparing to sink them with gunfire. Down would come the fake bulkheads that concealed the guns, Scratch one Sub.
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Posted By: martialguy @ 11/19/2008 11:16:40 PM

Finally, a real action against the dark forces. Congratulations to the Idian Navy for sinking a pirate ship. You prove that all those so-called great western powers don't really have any ball

It's ironic that Thai ships are being seized by pirates. Thai pirates slaughtered and raped refugees and robbed refugee boats for years without much counter-force. Real pirates are not like Johny Depp in Pirates Of The Caribbean fantasy at all.
Now that global commerce is in jeorpady, the material loss caused by pirates ( not to mention the loss of lives) ultimately would cause goods and services including food on the table and groceries more expensive. It's no longer a problem that the world can just look away anymore, because we will all have to pay
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Posted By: sommers @ 11/17/2008 11:43:08 AM

Anyone get the thought there might be some insider activities going on here? Where the ship will be, amount of ransom demand, etc. Seems quite likely.