Tuesday, April 14, 2009

To Rescue Captain, U.S. Snipers Held Steady Despite Many Moving Parts

MK11 sniper rifle. (Photo from Defense Industry Daily)

From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — The hard part was not the distance, 75 feet, an easy range for an experienced sniper. Far more difficult were all the moving parts: the bobbing lifeboat, the rolling ship, hitting three targets simultaneously in darkness — and all without harming the hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips.

That was the consensus on Monday from former members of the Navy Seals who said they were impressed by the skills of three Seal snipers who aimed from the fantail of the destroyer Bainbridge and picked off three Somali pirates holding Captain Phillips in a small lifeboat that was being towed about 75 feet behind the destroyer.

Read more ....

My Comment: A fascinating story. to accomplish this means that the training must .... and is .... incredible.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I believe the hand of god played a role in the events leading to the safe rescue of Captain Roberts. After all, it's almost a miracle.