Two Navy boats, 10 American sailors in Iranian custody

Update: "Snooping," says Iran

Golly, I hope this doesn't put a damper on the inevitable "peace in our time" tribute to the Iranian nuclear deal in tonight's SOTU speech.

QuoteIranian military forces seized two U.S. Navy boats Tuesday and are holding them in custody on Iran's Farsi Island in the middle of the Persian Gulf, senior U.S. officials told NBC News.

Officials said it's unclear whether the 10 American sailors who were aboard one of the small riverine boats had strayed into Iranian territorial waters before they were captured.

The officials said the Americans were on a training mission around noon ET when their boat experienced mechanical difficulty and drifted into Iranian-claimed waters and were seized by Iranian Coast guard.

John Kerry has already been on the phone with Iran's foreign minister and the crew will supposedly be returned "promptly." Let's hope so for O's sake, or else an already awkward defense of his disastrous foreign policy this evening will grow an order of magnitude more awkward. The proof's really in the pudding here: If the sailors are in fact returned soon, fine, it was an unfortunate accident. If there's any delay, it'll become more difficult to believe that this happened the way it's being claimed. One of the worst aspects of the nuclear deal, which critics saw coming before the agreement was struck, is that the White House is totally invested in its success — even if that requires them to look the other way at Iran's transgressions in the name of preserving the deal. We've already seen one ominous example of that this year, with the White House having declared that it would impose new sanctions on Iran for proceeding with its ballistic missile program, only to turn around and announce that the sanctions would be delayed indefinitely after Iran objected. Knowing that Team O will bend over backwards to avoid perceptions that Iran is exploiting its nuclear detente with the U.S. to act more aggressively abroad, why would they get the benefit of the doubt here that it was the U.S. Navy that screwed up?

this thread can be moved wherever...

Like the 10 or so Navy sailors were removed from their boats, to Farsi Island. 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/12/us-sailors-boats-held-by-iran-in-persian-gulf.html?intcmp=hpbt1

News is still breaking, but what the hell... ? 

A real POTUS would have taken an Iranian ship with 300 crew members as collateral.

Walks, you want to merge this to the War Forum, Dori posted first.

What will it cost us to get the sailors back?

Remember the USS Pueblo incident? The NKoreans still have the ship.

Any talk of the 9 men and 1 woman being returned 'promptly' is 'speculation', an Iran government-spokesman is saying.

And who in the US-government apologized??!  That idiot should be shit-canned immediately.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35299930

The biggest questions are: Why didn't anyone use a tow-rope, if one of the patrol-boats had mechanical problems?  How could they both 'drift ashore'?

Incredible. 

Quote from: Dori on January 12, 2016, 02:23:12 PM

> "...Officials said it's unclear whether the 10 American sailors who were aboard one of the small riverine boats had strayed into Iranian territorial waters..."
-
Good thing Iran isn't NATO country (as Turkey), cos' for this crime these boats could be shot down send to the bottom...

They have now been released along with the boats. However, the Iranians had several hours to see what all we have in the way of equioment on those boats.

Quite an embarrassing video that Iran released to the world, showing the Americans on their knees...  It's too disgusting to post it.

And the American commander of the 'mission' apologizing like he did...  May God bless his family for all the hate that's coming...  Some of it by our treasonous Administration, I'll wager. 

Quote from: kit saginaw on January 13, 2016, 03:37:24 PM
Quite an embarrassing video that Iran released to the world, showing the Americans on their knees...  It's too disgusting to post it.

And the American commander of the 'mission' apologizing like he did...  May God bless his family for all the hate that's coming...  Some of it by our treasonous Administration, I'll wager.

That's all against the Geneva Convention that Iran signed on to.

Sure, they're not going to build a bomb.  That's what Obama thinks. 

It is sickening how weak our SofS and president are. Any other president would immediately call off the deal with Iran and lock up the money for good.

Quote from: mrclose on January 13, 2016, 04:43:48 PM
As a Nam vet .. I am DISGUSTED!

NEVER would I have imagined that an American soldier would surrender .. on bended knee to the enemy!
NEVER!

I have no words to express my disgust and sadness for what we have become!

I would have died .. on my feet before I would allow my country to be embarrassed like this!

Same here. This is the code I was taught.
The President of the United States approved this written code in 1955.  The six articles of the code create a comprehensive guide for all American military forces in time of war, and in time of peace.  The articles of the code embrace (1) general statements of dedication to the United States and to the cause of freedom, (2) conduct on the battlefield, and (3) conduct as a prisoner of war.

      The new Code of Conduct is not a part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).  Instead, the Code of Conduct is a personal conduct mandate for members of the American armed forces throughout the world.

Article I:  I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life.  I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II:  I will never surrender of my own free will.  If in command I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III:  If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available.  I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape.  I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV:  If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners.  I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.  If I am senior, I will take command.  If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V:  When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service, number, and date of birth.  I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.  I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI:  I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free.  I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

QuoteThe Pentagon has backed off claims that a mechanical failure contributed to U.S. sailors drifting into Iranian waters and touching off a diplomatic incident earlier this week, with Defense Secretary Ash Carter now saying a "navigation error" was to blame.

Oh my!! How the 'narrative' has changed. The GPS and radios of both boats must not have been working either.
It stinks, imo.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/14/carter-says-navigation-error-not-mechanical-problem-put-us-boats-in-iranian-waters.html

Quote from: MACMan on January 14, 2016, 03:22:46 PM
Oh my!! How the 'narrative' has changed. The GPS and radios of both boats must not have been working either.
It stinks, imo.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/14/carter-says-navigation-error-not-mechanical-problem-put-us-boats-in-iranian-waters.html

There were running in silent mode.   

Quote from: walkstall on January 14, 2016, 03:26:02 PM
There were running in silent mode.   

'Silent' mode? Well, that sure worked out real well. 

Also, from what I have been told, the U.S. Navy doesn't use the traditional paper navigation charts anymore. Navigation coordinates are all 'digitalized'.