Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
For the fourth time in two weeks, the Navy has been involved in a confrontation with pirates.
The Little Creek-based dock landing ship Ashland captured six suspected pirates Saturday after they shot at the ship in the Gulf of Aden, the Navy said. The capture brings the number of suspected pirates recently caught by the Navy to 21.
They fired at the port side of the Ashland about 338 nautical miles off the coast of Djibouti on Saturday morning, according to a news release. The ship returned fire with its MK-38 Mod 2, a 25 mm machine gun, catching the skiff on fire, the Navy said. The men abandoned the vessel, and members of the Ashland deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat to rescue them.
Medics aboard the Ashland treated the captives, and the Navy was deciding what to do with them.
No one aboard the Ashland was injured, and there was no serious damage to the ship.
The ship is conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Late last month, the Norfolk-based guided-missile frigate Nicholas was fired upon by pirates, five of whom were captured. In a separate incident that day, the destroyer Farragut, based in Mayport, Fla., was called to the scene of a Sierra Leone-flagged tanker after the ship was attacked by three pirate skiffs. One of the skiffs was sunk, and 11 men were allowed to leave.
A few days later, the Norfolk-based destroyer McFaul intervened in a suspected pirate attack against a private vessel, detaining 10.
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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Geography
Actually the base was called Little Creek Amphibious Base. It was considered a Norfolk installation. If you consider that it is government property and it really does not belong to either Virginia Beach or Norfolk. however Little Creek itself is in Norfolk. Recently the base has taken on a new new role as a joint forces command and much of that acquisition (Fort Story) borders Virginia Beach. The ships were always considered to be docked at Little Creek, Norfolk.
Little Creek
Actually most of Little Creek Amphibious Base is in Virginia Beach.
Another one bites the dust.
Another one bites the dust. Are we really sympathetic to these "pirates"? I feel NO, I repeat, NO sympathy for these people. They made their beds and now must lie in them. How about some justice for the innocent and their families.
what???
Forget these tree hugging liberals, they SHOT at our Soldiers, return fire let them die in the water
Roger Ramjet he's our man
Roger Ramjet he's our man
Hero of our nation
For his adventures just be sure
And stay tuned to this station
Bravo, Johnny Bravo. Is that you're real name ?
You sound as if you might be reliving a chilhood fantasy.
Va Beach Navel port?
Just where is the "Va Beach based Navy ship" home port, Oceana? or maybe Dam Neck? I have lived here all my life and I cant think of a Va Beach Navel port.
Just go down to the Ocean front
There are a bunch of navels on display!
Is this apples and oranges (or another word for belly buttons)?
Wonder what happens when you drive to the end of Independence or Diamond Springs?
Little Creek Amphibious Base may not be a Navel base but it is a Naval base located in Virginia Beach.
pirates attach U.S. Navy ships
Sooooooooooo funny. They give our sailors target practice on a real target.
pirates attach U.S. Navy ships
Sooooooooooo funny. They give our sailors target practice on a real target.