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The Great Pirates off the Somali Coast thread
- Thread starter Beefalo
- Start date
Nothing against it my friend
Just nice to see the bolt action sniper rifle go into history. Have you read about the huge success of the M-110 SASS Program? Army started it and HQMC fell right in line after some resistance from the troops - but seeing is believing. 
Snipers are all well and good, but some guns mean you just don't have to worry about the problem again. Ever.
Probably 'cause he hasn't used a "real" one???
Personally, I like the M70, but that's probably 'cause I haven't got my hands on a "real" M40.*Sigh* .... these "kids" and their semi's ... I have a Rock Island '03 with a 1912 barrel date that is MOA w/iron sights "out of the box".
Mebbe if operating from an airborne "moving platform" I'd rather have a semi, however.
*edit* ... USMC S/S Assn. ? Do you know a fellow -- an old "Top" -- named "Lang"??
It's not near as much fun as you think it is.
Piracy
Is there a tactical reason international forces have set up a defended sea lane instead of organizing convoys? It seems a convoy with even one frigate or destroyer escort and some helicopters could avoid incidents like this:
The Longchamp had been traveling in a corridor secured by EU military forces when it sent a distress signal before dawn.
“Ships and helicopters were dispatched, but they arrived too late," said Phillips, who added that gunshots could be heard over the radio.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_somalia_hijacking_012909/
Is there a tactical reason international forces have set up a defended sea lane instead of organizing convoys? It seems a convoy with even one frigate or destroyer escort and some helicopters could avoid incidents like this:
The Longchamp had been traveling in a corridor secured by EU military forces when it sent a distress signal before dawn.
“Ships and helicopters were dispatched, but they arrived too late," said Phillips, who added that gunshots could be heard over the radio.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_somalia_hijacking_012909/
It's just logistically impossible even if we get some others to help us out. With thousands of merchant ships out and about the oceans everyday and hundreds going through various choke points, it is just not possible to provide escort services for everyone out there.
However, with most of the piracy taking place in a few select places, we do have CTF's established with various countries help in an effort to fight against piracy. As a matter of fact, the Ruskies and Chinese are getting into action in the HOA. PRC actually want a seperate TF number assigned to them. Vested interest I guess taking into account all of the material good that come and go out of China.
However, with most of the piracy taking place in a few select places, we do have CTF's established with various countries help in an effort to fight against piracy. As a matter of fact, the Ruskies and Chinese are getting into action in the HOA. PRC actually want a seperate TF number assigned to them. Vested interest I guess taking into account all of the material good that come and go out of China.
That's the usual rationale I've heard, but I've also read (in The Economist, among other places) that Lloyd's is willing to give breaks on insurance for ships in convoy and most of the shipping companies are losing enough money that they're increasingly willing to do it.
My feeling is the "real" reason is that most navies don't want to get roped into semi-permanent convoy escort commitment. Wears out the ships and crews and tough to come out of it a winner, PR-wise. No one wants to be the first warship to accidentally light up a Yemeni fishing boat.
My feeling is the "real" reason is that most navies don't want to get roped into semi-permanent convoy escort commitment. Wears out the ships and crews and tough to come out of it a winner, PR-wise. No one wants to be the first warship to accidentally light up a Yemeni fishing boat.
It is the actual reason. There is a lot of maritime traffic through that area and there are not enough warships there to provide coverage for regular convoys. The ships would have to wait at certain points and many owners would not want to waste the money waiting. Getting hijacked there is still relatively rare when you count the total number of ships going through the area unharmed.
The Economist, Penthouse, Motor Trend, National Geographic, Newsweek, National Review...
Even some Student Naval Aviators.