Ahoy, pirates! U.S. drones are on your case

[HAL 9000 96]

NAIROBI, Kenya - U.S. military surveillance drones based in the Seychelles islands are patrolling off Somalia's coast in hopes of stemming a rising piracy trade.Pirates have unleashed a wave of attacks in recent days as the new pirate season begins. Monsoons kept pirates off the water in recent months.

The bandits seized three ships in the last 10 days, and officials say attacks will rise.

U.S. military officials say unmanned drones called Reapers are patrolling the Indian Ocean. Small drones were previously launched from American warships off Somalia but the larger and more advanced Reapers are the first drones to be operated in the area by the U.S. military's Africa Command.

'Significant challenge'

Vice Adm. Robert Moeller, deputy commander for U.S. Africa Command in Germany, says pirates remain "a pretty significant challenge."

Somalia has been ravaged by violence and anarchy since 1991 and piracy has flourished off its coast.

Link

Edited October 23, 2009 by HAL 9000

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Kill the pirate bastards!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Tie 'em to the yard arms!

[DEDixon 39]

Let them alone!!! The USA should not be sticking its nose in this especially since 99% of commercial ships do not fly US flags. We have no business protecting commercial ships that rarely (very very very rare.. not impossible but RARE... too rare for this to be our problem) ever have Americans onboard. The commercial shipping industry should be tasked with protecting their ships, not the US military.

I seriously get tired of the US running to the rescue. Let Europe's militarys so something for a change.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

ANOTHER ASPECT THAT'S NOT MENTIONED

Since Somali doesn't have a Functional Govt since the fall of Adid. Lot of those europeans countries and other have been dumping their ####### in the somali waters.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We have no business protecting commercial ships that rarely (very very very rare.. not impossible but RARE... too rare for this to be our problem) ever have Americans onboard.

We're protecting the Chinese fleet shipping their ####### into Wal-Mart.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Let them alone!!! The USA should not be sticking its nose in this especially since 99% of commercial ships do not fly US flags. We have no business protecting commercial ships that rarely (very very very rare.. not impossible but RARE... too rare for this to be our problem) ever have Americans onboard. The commercial shipping industry should be tasked with protecting their ships, not the US military.

I seriously get tired of the US running to the rescue. Let Europe's militarys so something for a change.

The US is bringing law and order into a lawless region. This is a good thing.