Pirate Standoff Ends in Three Flashes

photo: CDR Castellano and Captain Phillips aboard the USS Bainbridge after the rescue.

On this Easter day, Captain Phillips is coming home. His home journey will occur thanks to the U.S. Navy and more specifically to the Navy Seals. In the days following the capture of the Maersk Alabama by Somali Pirates, the Maersk Alabama's dramatic escape and the tense hostage standoff where four pirates held Phillips at gun-point in a small lifeboat there is much cause for celebration. The U.S. Navy successfully controlled the situation at sea, discouraged more pirates from joining the small group and took decisive action to protect one of our own and bring him home alive.

Situations like this one here that unfolded over the period of days are extremely difficult to resolve. The men and women of the U.S. Navy held on and won this tough battle. After the sun set on the protracted standoff, the pirates made threatening gestures with guns towards Captain Phillips. The Navy Seals on-scene were given the go ahead to take the shots and take out the pirates. Even though someone else made the decision, the Seals on scene were willing to accept the risk and attempt a difficult rescue. Shooting at sea is not an easy thing. Everything moves and even the easiest shot is still risky.

I bet that you won't see the men who made the hardest decisions of all, the Navy Seals. They won't ask for thanks other than to shake the hand of the man who is going home. You won't see their pictures in the papers or on TV. They won't go to the White House to meet with the President and First Lady. They quietly do their job and are referred to only as 'Navy Seals.' That is what they do.

You should all be thankful that this country has such humble and dedicated men and women defending our Nation and us. You might not be able to pick them out of a crowd, but if you should ever meet one, you certainly owe them a strong hand shake and a 'thank you.'