Friday, April 17, 2009

Mullen Promises Review of Antipiracy Ops

The U.S. military has initiated a review to look "broadly and widely and deeply" at the overall strategy on piracy off the coast of Somalia, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said April 14. Navy Adm.

Mike Mullen, speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," complimented those who carried out the mission that freed Merchant Marine Capt. Kevin Phillips. Somali pirates had held Phillips hostage since his ship, the Maersk-Alabama, was attacked April 8. The Maersk-Alabama's crew managed to regain control of the cargo vessel, but pirates took Phillips hostage and sought shelter in an 18-foot lifeboat. Navy SEAL snipers aboard the USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) killed three of the pirates aboard the lifeboat when it appeared that Phillips' life was in imminent danger. Piracy has been a problem for America since the founding of the republic, Mullen said.
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