Peleliu, 15th MEU repel pirates
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 8, 2008 12:17:32 EDT
MANAMA, Bahrain — The Navy said it has stopped a pirate attack on a merchant vessel north of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.
The amphibious assault ship Peleliu responded to a call for help from the Gem of Kilakari on Friday morning, the Navy said. The Gem said it was under attack from armed pirates as it was traveling to the Suez Canal.
The Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said in a statement that the Peleliu was about 10 miles away from the Gem when it received the distress call.
Suspected pirate ships fled the scene after the Peleliu launched three helicopters, the Navy said, adding that one grenade landed on the Gem’s bridge wing but didn’t explode, and no injuries were reported.
