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Manama,
Bahrain, August 29, 2009 – Somali pirates aboard a captured vessel have
opened fire on a US navy helicopter carrying out a surveillance mission
over the boat, the US Navy has said.
"Somali Pirates aboard Motor Vessel Win Far fired what appeared to be a
large caliber weapon at a US Navy SH-60B Helicopter from Helicopter
Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 49, embarked aboard USS Chancellorsville,"
the Bahrain-headquartered Navy said in a statement sent to Gulf News.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning.
"No rounds of ammunition struck the SH-60B, and the SH-60 crew did not
return fire. No personnel injuries resulted from the incident."
The Navy said that the helicopter was conducting a routine surveillance
flight of M/V Win Far currently held at anchorage by Somali pirates
south of Garacad, Somalia when the incident occurred.
"During the flight, aircrew observed activity, but could not ascertain
they were fired upon until their return to Chancellorsville and review
of Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) video, which recorded the
incident. The helicopter was approximately 3,000 yards from Win Far when
it was fired upon," the Navy said.
Win Far, a Taiwanese-flagged vessel was pirated on April 6. The pirates
have been since using it as a "mother ship" to conduct pirate attacks.
According to the US Navy, more than 30 crewmembers remain as hostages
aboard the M/V Win Far.
Source: Gulf News, August 27, 2009
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