"Large Caliber Weapon" Did Not Hit The Aircraft

Somali pirates holding 4 vessels off the coast of Somalia reportedly opened fire on a U.S. Navy SH-60B conducting a surveillance flight over the captured ships Thursday. The helicopter was not hit, did not return fire, and no casualties were reported.

SH-60B File Photo

The international News Service AFP reports that the Navy released a statement indicating "Somali pirates aboard the motor vessel (M/V) Win Far fired what appeared to be a large calibre weapon at a US navy SH-60B helicopter. 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."

It is the first time the pirates have been reported to have opened fire on a U.S. aircraft. AFP reports that an infrared video shows the attack happening as the helicopter was returning to the U.S.S. Chancellorsville, and that the crew was unaware of the attack until they saw the video. The Navy said the helicopter was about 3,000 yards from Win Far when it happened.

The Win Far was seized earlier this year, and has since become a base of operations for the pirate's attacks on other vessels, including the U.S. flagged Maersk-Alabama in April. The pirates are holding 30 crewmembers of the Win Far hostage.

The U.S. Navy says there have been 114 attempted attacks on merchant vessels in the region, 29 of them successful, this year alone. Several nations have deployed warships in the region in an attempt to protect one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

FMI: http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/