March 24, 2007

Iran--Crusin' for a Brusin' 

According to news reports, Iran just kidnapped 15 British sailors and Marines while they were   carrying out anti-smuggling duties in the Persian Gulf.   Somehow or another,   the Iranians managed to do this using nothing more than fast patrol boats, despite the fact that the  HMS Cornwall, a modern frigate was standing nearby.

At the very least, the captain of the Cornwall ought to be reprimanded for allowing this to happen.  In any event,  Mr Blair ought to order British vessels to fire on any Iranian vessels that even  look as if they are going to interfere with legitimate anti-smuggling operations.  A few shots across the bow from the Cornwall would have stopped the Iranians cold.

The Cornwall's captain had enough firepower on hand do take care of the Iranians  and he should have used it. 

If there's anything those nut-case Iranian Revolutionary Guards, (who carried out the kidnapping)  understand, it's force.  What those thugs should have gotten was a  taste of the Cornwall's 114 mm (4.5 inch) MK 8 gun, followed by a couple of bursts from the ship's two 20 mm close range guns. 

That sort of firepower would have  concentrated the minds of the Iranians wonderfully.  It's unfortunate but true, that when you are dealing with fanatics, you have kill a few of them to make the others  understand that you mean business. 

Breaking heads now, will prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.  Standing by and doing  nothing simply encourages the Iranians to try this kind of thing again.

Posted  8:30 AM  PST

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