OT: US Navy ship attacked twice this week
This week, for the first time in history, a US Navy Destroyer, DDG87, the Mason, was attacked with ballistic missiles. They were fired by Houthi rebels from a land-based site in Yemen. The first attack of two missiles took place around noon ET Sunday, the second attack with two more missiles took place today. I know that there was at least one hard kill (incoming attacking missile taken out with a countermeasure defensive missile from the Mason.) The ship continues under heightened alert as it patrols the Red Sea. The Pentagon has vowed retaliation, and this has been confirmed. There are two other ships in the area: Destroyer USS Nitze and US Ponce, a ship that transports special forces.
This post is completely offtopic to the board . . . but is relevant to me because my daughter is an Aegis Computer Network Technician on this ship. Her job is to maintain and repair the network of computers controlling the Aegis Radar and Missile weapons system. That is precisely what protected the ship. My daughter wrote via FB, "We heard (the code for) "incoming missile attack, all hands stand by." She then added, "I just can't describe the feeling of knowing you could all possibly die in a matter of seconds."
Retaliation was planned prior to this morning's attack. With this second missile launch, a military response is virtually dictated from the US Navy. Follow the story, if of interest to you.
Now, back to our regularly programmed wife day and football posts.
EDIT: latest news from Washington Post as of 11:15pm EST, Wed. Oct. 12: Navy launches Tomahawk Missiles at Rebel Sites in Yemen after attacks on U.S. Ships.
According to the article 3 remote radar sites on the Yemen coast were hit by US missiles launched from the USS Nitze. This is close to real time: the missiles were launched about 4am local time Thurs. morning (8pm EST Wed. night). It appears they were specifically not targeting any heavily populated area.
EDIT 2: FTR, all information in this post came from public media sources (with the exception of my daughter's personal emotions when under attack.) Do a Google News Search on "USS Mason" to find dozens of news sources.
October 13th, 2016 at 7:58 AM ^
"They were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from a land-based site in Yemen who have been fighting the US and Saudi backed government for years."
There, that's better.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^
It's worth knowing the context of this attack.
Saudi Arabian jets triple-tapped (they bombed a target, they bombed those trying to administer aid after the first bombing, then they did it again a third time) a funeral in Sana'a, Yemen this past week and killed hundreds of people. The Saudis fly jets and use munitions bought from the US and their fighters are routinely refueled by American planes during bombing missions such as the one in Sana'a. These attacks haven't just occurred in a vacuum.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:41 PM ^
And its in your post. The Iranians are behind much of the Yemeni problems, especially the Houthis. If Tehran had its druthers the entire peninsula would be paying tribute and the Saudis begging on bended knee.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:49 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 2:29 AM ^
Yes, poor Saudi Arabia is just acting in self-defense to preserve their radical Islamist (more radical than Iran) state. Glad we're there to help.
October 13th, 2016 at 7:36 AM ^
SA doesn't have hegemonic aims. Iran does. Best to have them struggle against each other than one of them become a regional hegemon.
October 13th, 2016 at 10:45 PM ^
ISIS and Al-Quaeda are SA hegemonic aims.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:13 AM ^
The US response to this attack is a major incident, front page NYT and so on. So it is politics, though for SRK it's not. Anyhow, here's an antidote to Cromulent's hyperbole, from Michigan's own Juan Cole:
http://www.juancole.com/2016/10/houthis-yemen-openly.html
I'd suggest anyone really wanting to discuss the politics of US involvement on the Arabian penisula do it there. Since this (the response) broke overnight, you can still be the first poster!
October 13th, 2016 at 6:44 AM ^
Maciej Ceglowski (founder of Pinboard, fantastic amateur essayist) wrote a fascinating set of travelogues about some time he spent in Yemen a few years ago. He provides a thoughtful account of a place that exists as something other than Recipient of Missiles. http://idlewords.com/2014/07/sana_a.htm
October 13th, 2016 at 7:37 AM ^
The word "hyperbole" doesn't mean what you think it means.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:37 AM ^
You're right. I first wrote "Cromulent's neocon worldview" and then changed it. The flaws in your understanding have little to do with hyperbole.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:46 PM ^
In the post of mine you responded to, what was hyperbole?
October 12th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 2:19 AM ^
All the more reason to get the F out of that region.
They don't hate us because of who we are, they hate us because of where we are.
Become energy self-sufficient and let them sell their oil to the Chinese.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:30 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 7:38 AM ^
Which is why if you don't support energy development you're in favor of SA *and* Teheran.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^
What if I don't support fracking near water supplies for Americans and/or don't support fracking on a level which leads to Oklahoma now having more earthquakes than any other state in the U.S.? Point being, there's a middle ground, and it's definitely not "if you're anti-fracking, you're pro Iran and Saudi." I'm, personally, anti-fracking in areas of high human population, but not against it in more remote areas. There's a cost-benefit analysis that has to be undertaken, and I worry that it too often gets lost in the debate over whether fracking is "good" or "bad,"; I think it's good if it doesn't hurt a lot of people, but sometimes it seems like fracking in certain areas does harm the local populace.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:50 PM ^
But fracking is good. Real good. Its environmentally sound and really cheap. Your objections don't have a leg to stand on and are increasingly limited to fringe fruitcakes like Bill McKibben & the 350 crowd.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:51 PM ^
FTR, I was fully aware of what you posted on the Saudi jets. Obviously, I've been following the story closely. I simply chose not to comment, so as to try to stay away from political commentary as much as possible. Still, it certainly gives the context.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:38 PM ^
for your sacrifices for us.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:27 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 1:43 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 4:29 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 6:33 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 7:56 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 8:36 AM ^
This is a complicated question. Our daughter joined, as I alluded to in the thread somewhere, partially for the educational benefits. That is to say, the GI Bill would allow her to go to college mostly debt free. She also can take classes while in the Navy for free (albeit online classes.)
However, what I came to realize is that in the enlisted forces in the Navy, there are a few areas where there are highly technical skills that need years of training. Those working with nuclear reactors, in avionics, as computer network technicians, in some language areas, have abilities and skill sets far beyond many enlisted sailors. The Navy pays out significant bonuses for those who reenlist in these areas, because they can't find and retain enough sailors. This won't apply to her because it is unlikely she will reenlist. Her compensation, so to speak, is having the "free" training which enables her to do her job, and the experience which will open doors to certain jobs when finished with the Navy. I'm glad my daughter joined, but I wouldn't really say she is "well compensated." She certainly isn't dumb as a brick.
October 13th, 2016 at 9:09 AM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 3:54 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 11:39 PM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 11:40 PM ^
Tell her thank you for her service and may God keep her safe as she protects others. Thank you for sharing this - I had no idea this had happened.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 7:53 AM ^
Homer Simpson has more credibility than Brian Williams ... hahahaha
October 12th, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^
Thoughts, prayers and thanks to your daughter an all service men and women who serve in the United States and Canadian Forces.
I've had the honour of knowing so many who have served. My late father, Canadian Army, 27 years, served in Korea. My brother in law, a reservist in the Canadian Army, lost both legs and an arm on his second tour in Afghanistan. Countless friends who have served multiple times overseas. I have spent my whole life grateful for their service.
I know how proud you must be of your daughter and am sure that you worry about her. I'll remember her, the crew of the Mason and your family in my prayers.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:06 AM ^
US Navy 180 - Houthi 0. Harbaugh would be proud.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:10 AM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 12:14 AM ^
Glad I actually read this post. Thoughts with your family and everyone with her.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:14 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 12:29 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 5:14 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 8:04 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 8:07 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 6:49 AM ^
Will no one think of the guy who needs a safe space for his fantasies of righteous conquest?
October 13th, 2016 at 7:47 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 8:09 AM ^
The righteousness of only ever being on the side of the good guys, by definition. Worrying about who gets killed at weddings is for pussies.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:29 AM ^
Thank you to your daughter for her service, along with my niece who is a deployed Navy Corpman and her husband, the same. While I don't subscribe to the notion that my freedom to choose vanilla or chocolate is dependent upon military operating globally, I would never and do not downplay the most serious role that these brave members of the military play.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:54 AM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 12:56 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 1:08 AM ^
only the radars in rural areas were targeted in northern Yemen. Iran has been supplying the Houthis with cruise missiles. If your firing on ships within the main shipping lane in international waters, then something needs to be done and since the USS Mason was targeted earlier Today, the US had to take out their radar system. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-missiles-idUSKCN12C294
October 13th, 2016 at 1:20 AM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 1:23 AM ^
Genuinely glad your daughter is okay.
I wish I had more confidence that our foreign policy was worthy of our servicemen and servicewomen.
I do not approve of how our ally, Saudi Arabia, is conducting warfare in Yemen, even if Iran has a role, and thereby putting OUR soldiers at risk by association. I think a large number of civilian casualties and war atrocities attributable to the Houthis and Saudis is literally criminal.
I hope your daughter and all the rest of our soldiers stay safe in protecting our country. I hope we give them quality leaders who deserve the privilege of their sworn loyalty in our defense.
I also hope that the strikes that occurred literally just a few minutes ago against Yemeni radar sites, appropriate military targets, help keep our Navy safe.