AP Describes Role of USS Mahan in Pirate Fight

The Associated Press is reporting on the activities of the USS Mahan (DDG 72) off the coast of Somalia. Apparently, we are using the USS Mahan (DDG 72) as a mothership for UAVs.

For years, the U.S. has used drones to track potential terrorists among Somalia's warlords, but the Navy said more and more of the planes are now being used to fight piracy.

The drones can fly more than 3,000 feet (915 meters) above sea level and relay pictures detailed enough to recognize the flags flown on fishing boats that Somalis use to avoid detection.

The drones take still photos and videos that are instantly relayed to the American ships. The Americans can then send this material to other nations in the international anti-piracy coalition that may have ships near the suspicious vessel. Countries as diverse as India, France, China and Russia have sent ships to help patrol the Gulf of Aden.

On Thursday, pictures taken by the drones, some of which also are equipped with night vision, helped apprehend nine pirates after a night flight relayed pictures of a skiff with a ladder onboard. A skiff had fired a rocket- propelled grenade at a merchant vessel in the area earlier.

The American warship dispatched helicopters to provide surveillance and air cover, and it deployed a boat with a search and seizure team.

Automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades were found and the nine men onboard were detained, although they had thrown the ladder into the sea. Still, the pictures of the ladder taken by the drone can be used as evidence, as the coalition steps up efforts to pursue the pirates through the courts as well as the waves.

The article is clearly talking about the ScanEagle here. ScanEagle is a very good system that is mature and reliable; perfect for this duty. I imagine the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) is also being used this way, at least until the Iwo Jima ESG is ordered home, which will be very soon.

The Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group will relieve the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group by the end of the month. While it is unclear where the Boxer ESG is, it is known that the USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719) recently departed Singapore and will be in India on Monday as well as USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), which is currently part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group supporting 5th Fleet operations. The USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719) is part of the Boxer ESG but will circumnavigate the globe to return to the west coast during the deployment.

With the Essex ESG involved in Cobra Gold 2009 through Tuesday, that would imply the Boxer will be sent forward while the Essex heads back towards the Pacific theater.