SEAL kill by knife?

[Crafty Dog]

Five minutes after the pirates fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the Sterett, and small arms fire erupted, 15 Navy SEAL commandos stormed the yacht. The hostages were dead or dying. American officials said it was unclear whether they had been executed or killed in the pirates’ cross-fire. Other pirate hostages have died in captivity or during rescue attempts, but there are few, if any, cases of pirates intentionally killing hostages.

The commandos shot and killed one pirate and stabbed another. Two other pirates were found dead, apparently killed by their comrades, and 13 surrendered to the Americans.
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/w...ates.html?_r=1 (https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/world/africa/24pirates.html?_r=1)

[Navadisha]

Interesting reporting. The transcripts from the DOD briefing seems to intentionally avoid confirming it was SEALs. Rather, responding to questions about SEALs with "U.S. special operations forces" specifically.
Not saying it wasn't, just interesting he wouldn't confirm it when specifically asked twice. There are other groups besides SEALs that they tend not to identify.
http://gcaptain.com/fleet-news-brief-vice-admiral?22107

[sjansen]

They were all killed by pirates. Whether it was by crossfire or friendly fire it really doesn't matter. If the pirates didn't hijack the boat, noone would have died. The pirates and the Somali government hold total responsibility for the deaths. Who cares why or how.

[Crafty Dog]

Morally you are 100% correct.

I think the curiousity some of us have is whether knife skills have relevance in modern war/war-like circumstances.

[Navadisha]

I find it humorous that it's always assumed it's SEALs.

[Crafty Dog]

1) There is a question mark in the thread heading, therefore there was no assumption;
2) The situation here is exactly the sort of situation that calls for SEALs;
3) They have been in this area before and saved the day with some fine kills already
http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=1757.0

[Navadisha]

My apologies very sorry, I think I was misunderstood. I didn't mean to say there was an assumption on your part at all.

Moreso on the part of the reporter in the first article assuming it was SEALS (and it may have been but it does seem odd the DOD didn't confirm).

Yes, the force was launched from a Navy ship, but Marines may also travel on Navy ships (or Air Force planes, LOL).
For instance Force Recon Marines (who i've heard use knives in modern combat, to the point of the topic)

[Crafty Dog]

Those too most certainly are possibilities.

[Vitamin Water]

My apologies very sorry, I think I was misunderstood. I didn't mean to say there was an assumption on your part at all.

Moreso on the part of the reporter in the first article assuming it was SEALS (and it may have been but it does seem odd the DOD didn't confirm).

Yes, the force was launched from a Navy ship, but Marines may also travel on Navy ships (or Air Force planes, LOL).
For instance Force Recon Marines (who i've heard use knives in modern combat, to the point of the topic)


I can think of one Filipino marine force that gets lots of edged weapon kills. There are probably many American units that do, but in The Civilized World knives are either tools, or the weapon of a criminal (I personally disagree with that view.
Oh look a SEAL. Let's try this knife.
Bad f'ing idea, as rumor has it seals have a history of Kali training, starting with Echanis.

[Crafty Dog]

I will vouch for the fact that many military units receive knife training.

[punisher73]

I will vouch for the fact that many military units receive knife training.

Correct. At the risk of sounding like an urban legend. A very good friend of mine has recently started training with a guy who just got home from Iraq. Whoever he was with was in charge of clearing alot of the buildings in the downtown when we first went in. He told a story that during one sweep, his gun jammed and the only thing he could get out quickly was his knife and he stabbed two iraquis, killing them.

So based on that, I would say that knife skills are not only important, but still being used in some situations (besides sentry removal).

[Brian R. VanCise]

Sure lot's of military units receive some training. However, I think we would all agree that it would be great if they could receive more.

As for the knife still having relevance. It will for a long, long time! Still effective, still efficient at close range! ;)