American captain rescued, pirates killed, U.S. official says

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

(CNN) -- The captain of the Maersk Alabama was freed Sunday after being held captive since Wednesday by pirates off the coast of Somalia, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told CNN.

The official said Capt. Richard Phillips is uninjured and in good condition, and that three of the four pirates were killed. The fourth pirate is in custody. Phillips was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge, a nearby naval warship.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/12...ates/index.html

Edited April 12, 2009 by Randomizer

[EasyRider 3]

It was only a matter of time. I'm glad he's safe now.

[Nagishkaw 510]

It was only a matter of time. I'm glad he's safe now.

Yes, me too.

[mr and mrs 187]

he is from underhill, vermont which has a tiny population. just a few miles from here.

i dont have anything else to add since i know little about piracy or even less about how to commandeer a ship.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Good news!. Now, let's send an AC-130 up and down the Somali coast a few times to sink every boat and dingy they

can find!

[MsAnn 0]

I'm so happy he was rescued!!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The misspelling in the caption of that graphic made me cringe

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

The misspelling in the caption of that graphic made me cringe

a spectre will make you cringe more.......

[GaryC 7]

It seems the captain has balls as big as church bells. A true hero.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Just like in the movies.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Obama Approved Special Forces Team

A senior US official tells me that President Barack Obama approved a recommendation by Defense Secretary Bob Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen to dispatch special forces to the scene on Friday.

These special forces were authorized to take action "in extremis" against the Somali pirates holding Maersk Captain Richard Phillips, 53, hostage on a motorized lifeboat off the coast of Somalia.

A senior official tells me that when the fourth Somali pirate was on the Bainbridge ship, Phillips moved to side of the lifeboat to relieve himself.

At that point, U.S. special forces saw their opportunity and took other three pirates out.

Captain Phillips is now safe aboard a U.S. vessel.

It's "going to make a great movie," a U.S. official adds.

Edited April 12, 2009 by Randomizer

[MrsCat 6]

Good news!. Now, let's send an AC-130 up and down the Somali coast a few times to sink every boat and dingy they

can find!

Exactly what I said to my husband last night when we were talking about this.

[dalegg 143]

Good news!. Now, let's send an AC-130 up and down the Somali coast a few times to sink every boat and dingy they

can find!

The only problem is that half of those boats also have hostages on them, from other countries.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Good news!. Now, let's send an AC-130 up and down the Somali coast a few times to sink every boat and dingy they

can find!

The only problem is that half of those boats also have hostages on them, from other countries.

The AC-130 has FLIR. It can tell where the warm bodies are. That 105 mm howitzer sticking out the side is extremely accurate.

Armament:

AC-130H (Spectre)

Two M61 20mm Vulcan cannons with 3,000 rounds

One L60 40mm Bofors cannon with 256 rounds

One M102 105mm howitzer with 100 rounds.

AC-130U (Spooky)

One 25mm GAU-12 Gatling gun (1,800 rounds per minute)

one L60 40mm Bofors cannon (100 shots per minute)

one M102 105mm cannon (6-10 rounds per minute)

http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns...#specifications

[Scott & Lai 12]

Good news!. Now, let's send an AC-130 up and down the Somali coast a few times to sink every boat and dingy they

can find!