Somali pirates aboard a hijacked ship fired at a U.S. Navy helicopter yesterday, Navy officials said.

According to the Navy, the helicopter from the USS Chancellorsville was not hit, and there were no injuries. The helicopter did not return fire.

The chopper received fire while on a surveillance flight over a Taiwanese-flagged vessel that pirates had captured in April. Footage taken from the SH-60B helicopter shows at least one pirate opening fire with what appears to be “a large-caliber weapon,” officials said.

Somali pirates hijacked the Taiwanese-flagged Win Far vessel April 6, and since have used it as a “mother ship” to conduct attacks, most notably on the U.S.-flagged Maersk-Alabama in April. The incident occurred in the Indian Ocean south of Garacad, Somalia, where the Win Far is anchored.

During the flight, the aircrew members observed pirate activity, but did not confirm they were fired on until their return to Chancellorsville and review of the infrared surveillance footage. The helicopter was about 3,000 yards from Win Far when it happened.

DoD

Forget your mental images of gleaming metal and swarthy men in trendy clothes. This is a picture of a pirate mothership from Somalia. Click on it for a larger version. You almost, almost, feel sorry for the poor buggers. Almost but not quite.

Members of a USS Gettysburg visit, board, search and seizure team and a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement vessel approach a suspected pirate mothership after responding to a merchant vessel distress signal while operating in the Combined Maritime Forces area of responsibility as part of CombineTask Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden, May 13, 2009. Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser, is serving as the flagship of CTF 151, a multinational task force to conduct counter-piracy operations. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Eric L. Beauregard

Here are some Navy pictures from the scene of yesterday’s rescue. Please note the design of the lifeboat. Many pundits have suggested an assault to free the Captain of the Maersk Alabama. It would have been very difficult. Waiting for the right moment, as the SEALS did, was the correct move.

In a still frame from video taken by the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle, a 28-foot lifeboat from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama is seen in the Indian Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo)

The guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) is underway off the coast of Somalia Sept. 25, 2007 while conducting anti-piracy operations. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vincent J. Street/Released)

In a still frame from video taken by the Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle, the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is underway near a 28-foot lifeboat, lower right, from the U.S.-flagged container ship Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo)

The captain of the Maersk-Alabama cargo ship held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia was in “imminent danger” when U.S. military snipers shot and killed his three pirate captors, a U.S. Navy commander said today.

Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, provided preliminary details of the rescue mission that freed Capt. Richard Phillips today during a news conference.

Off the Somali coast, U.S. special operations snipers held positions at the rear of the USS Bainbridge, which was towing an 18-foot lifeboat that held Phillips and three pirates some 25-30 meters away.

“The snipers positioned on the fantail of the Bainbridge observed one of the pirates in the pilot house — and two pirates with their head and shoulders exposed — and one of the pirates had the AK47 (assault rifle) leveled at the captain’s back,” Gortney said.

Gortney said the White House had given military operators “very clear guidance and authority” if Phillips’ life was in danger.

“The on-scene commander took it as the captain was in imminent danger and then made that decision (to shoot), and he had the authorities to make that decision, and he had seconds to make that decision,” he said.

On the marksmanship of the snipers Gortney said, “We pay a lot for their training and we got a good return on our investment.”

Naval forces rescued Phillips on a rigid-inflatable boat and transferred him to the USS Bainbridge before being flown to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably, ccording to a U.S. Navy statement.

Gortney said Phillips was in good health and suffered no apparent injuries, despite being “tied up inside the lifeboat” for at least part of his five days as a hostage. He noted that a fourth pirate surrendered and is being held in U.S. forces’ custody.

The admiral praised the military servicemembers involved in the rescue. “I could not be more proud to represent all the men and women in uniform who worked tirelessly to make this rescue possible,” he said.

DoD
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Capt. Richard Phillips, right, master of the cargo ship Maersk-Alabama, who had been captured by pirates, stands alongside U.S. Navy Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. Philips was held hostage for four days by the pirates. U.S. Navy photo

President Barack Obama praised the U.S. military’s rescue of the kidnapped captain of the Maersk-Alabama cargo ship on the waters off the coast of Somalia today.

U.S. naval forces freed Capt. Richard Phillips five days after Somali pirates took him hostage.

“I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer,” Obama said in a White House statement. “His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

“I am also very proud of the efforts of the US military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips’ safe recovery,” he said. “I share the country’s admiration for the bravery of captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans.”

Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, comended those involved in the rescue.

“This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible,” Gortney said in a U.S. Navy release. Gortney said Phillips’ actions, and those of the Maersk-Alabama crew, were heroic.

“They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Captain Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew,” he said.

Following the rescue, Phillips was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge before being flown to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably, according to a U.S. Navy statement.

Three pirates were killed during the rescue operation, and U.S. military forces have one pirate in custody, the statement said.

DoDBy John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Update 2 pm EDT: Crew is reported to have retaken the ship. Some reports say the captain is still hostage. Crew may be holding 1 pirate, and 4 are reported to be “in the water”.

Maersk A Class vessel similer to Maersk Alabama

CNN is among the agencies reporting that an America-flagged ship, the Maersk Alabama , has been seized by Somali pirates. It was enroute to Mombasa, Kenya with relief supplies.

As we reported here, Task Force 151 has established a safe-transit lane in the Gulf of Aden where ships will be under the observation and erstwhile protection of the various navies supporting the anti-piracy efforts in the region. We have captured a number of pirates, and the idea was that they would be detained, transferred to Kenya and tried there for piracy.

The forseeable result of creating a safe transit lane was that the pirates would move their attacks elsewhere. That is what has been happening this week, including with the Maersk Alabama.

Maersk Line