Iran Releases 10 US Navy Sailors in Gulf

It has been a long time since I rode riverboats in Vietnam, but 300 miles without an escort? What was that command thinking? I would expect the CO of that unit to be standing tall and sweating in front of some very pissed Admiral.
 
As some others have said: Two break down at the same time? One breaks down and the other should throw a hawser or even an anchor line to the disabled boat and brings them out of disputed waters. What the H*ll was the commander of the serviceable boat thinking. Cruise around in circles waiting for the Republican Guard?
 
I agree Grunt! And the "sailors" looked like they were wearing Marine clothing and not Navy... but then I'm no expert.
 
I think its the Navy Special Warfare camo pattern. It's based on the Marine MARPAT but with different colors.
 
Its not MARPAT, its a different pattern that the Navy uses for actual tactical cammies vice the blueberry cammies. And agree, Grunt, not buying the current story. Also had a good laugh at all the memes popping up regarding the sailor in white socks!
 
NavyHoops said:
Its not MARPAT, its a different pattern that the Navy uses for actual tactical cammies vice the blueberry cammies. And agree, Grunt, not buying the current story. Also had a good laugh at all the memes popping up regarding the sailor in white socks!
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Oops! Back to checking sources before I open my big mouth again :D
 
This makes me ill. I agree has to be more to the story. Hate to see our military personnel on their knees in front of Iranian navy personnel and then "an apology and a thanks" for nice treatment; don't like this at all.
 
The comment made by the Col. in the video saying "he didn't understand why the sailors let themselves be captured without a fight" seemed misplaced. In the end the restraint shown by the US Sailors as well as the Iranians that intercepted them won the day.

While the images the Iranians released, obviously meant to embarrass the US, are difficult to watch, things could have been a whole lot worse.

As others have said, there is probably a lot more to this story then we'll ever know. If this was some covert mission planned by the Navy, it wasn't a very good one, it's hard to hide two Navy boats in broad daylight. If by some misguided chance this was a planned mission, it will be interesting to see how many they have fall on their swords to protect the storyline.
 
I don't agree. Restraint? They lost their boats. Is there a better reason to arm a vessel than to defend it?

I don't think we're getting the whole story. I doubt we will, but there are so many questions.

I don't find their (U.S. Sailors) conduct awe inspiring but I also realize I have limited information.

I guess USNA can ditch any references to "Don't give up the ship" at least as a rallying cry...
 
This situation could have gone very, very bad (USS Pueblo). Situation does seem odd especially in light of the recent live missile test in the Straits by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards 1500 yards from the USS Harry Truman. Appears cooler heads on both sides lessened the total damage.
 
If the Iranians were truly the gentlemen they are being heralded as in the media they could have done a quick search of the "disabled" boats and towed them back to international waters, incident over and one goodwill point for Iran
 
LineInTheSand said:
I don't agree. Restraint? They lost their boats. Is there a better reason to arm a vessel than to defend it?

I don't think we're getting the whole story. I doubt we will, but there are so many questions.

I don't find their (U.S. Sailors) conduct awe inspiring but I also realize I have limited information.

I guess USNA can ditch any references to "Don't give up the ship" at least as a rallying cry...
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Don't get me wrong, don't confuse my comment about restraint with thinking anything about this was awe inspiring by either the sailors or the Iranians.

Those sailors were in the wrong place, whether they were ordered there or just plain got lost (and I thought only Army 2LTs got lost) Starting a shooting contest with the Iranians could have ended in a situation we couldn't get out of. If these boats would have been in international waters when this went down, that would be a different story altogether. Seems like the Navy got caught with it's pants down, I'm sure these sailors had communication on board and it wouldn't surprise me that they were ordered to stand down.

I imagine if I got lost walking home and ended up in someone else's living room, I would probably choose not to fight when confronted.

Believe me, there is a lot of blame to go around with this one and none of this is awe inspiring.
 
Can't wait to hear the official take on the incident from during the Republican Presidential Debate in five minutes.

I'm expecting informed and nuanced responses.
 
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