MilitaryNational Security

Somali Pirates Fire on Navy Helicopter

Chris Carter
An SH-60B Seahawk assigned to the "Scorpions" of Light Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 49 lifts off from the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). The SH-60B conducts anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions from the decks of cruisers, destroyers and frigates. Thach and the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7 are currently on a routine deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Operations to the U.S. 5th Fleet are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac/Released)
An SH-60B Seahawk assigned to the "Scorpions" of Light Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 49 lifts off from the USS Thach. The SH-60B conducts anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions from the decks of cruisers, destroyers and frigates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac)

Pirates aboard the captured Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel M/V Win Far fired at a U.S. Navy helicopter performing “routine surveillance” Wednesday. According to the Navy, the shots were fired from what appeared to be a “large caliber weapon” at a range of 3,000 yards – greatly beyond the effective range for an AK-47.

View the video here.

No rounds struck the helicopter and no injuries were reported. In fact, the SH-60B crew from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49, of the USS Chancellorsville, did not know they had been fired upon until after a review of the helicopter’s Forward-Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) footage.

Somali pirates aboard Motor Vessel (M/V) Win Far firing at the Navy helicopter. (U.S. Navy photo from video)
Somali pirates aboard Motor Vessel (M/V) Win Far firing at the Navy helicopter. (U.S. Navy photo from video)

Lt. Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for the Navy’s 5th Fleet, told The Associated Press that Wednesday’s incident was the first time pirates shot at U.S. Navy helicopters while conducting daily surveillance flights.

Christensen also said that four other merchant ships and 105 crew members are being held hostage near the Win Far. Over 30 crew members are being held aboard the Win Far, since its capture on April 6, 2009.

Pirates use the Win Far as a “mother ship” to stage attacks, most notably the April attack on the U.S.-flagged Maersk-Alabama in which Capt. Richard Phillips was held hostage for several days until rescued by Navy SEALs.

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