Kuwait Military Officials, US Ambassadors Visit Lincoln at Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wade T. Oberlin, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Kuwaiti Air Force and U.S. Embassy officials met with USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 leadership aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, May 9.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence Director of Operations and Plans, Kuwaiti Air Force Maj. Gen. Abdulrazaq Al-Awadhi, and the Defense Attaché of Kuwait City, Brig. Gen. Rick B. Mattson, a U.S. Embassy senior defense official, joined several other Kuwaiti military officials to tour Lincoln and observe maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf.

The visit was designed to strengthen military-to-military relations and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to long-term stability and security in the region.

From the ship's flag bridge and vulture's row, Kuwaiti military officials and cadets viewed fly-bys as Kuwaiti pilots rode in the backseats of two F/A-18F Super Hornets assigned to the Bounty Hunters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2. The guests also viewed an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Kestrels of VFA 137 in the ship's hangar bay.

Al-Awadhi said the visit would increase the cadets' understanding of the importance of Lincoln's mission in the region.

"Many of the cadets in this group have recently graduated," Al-Awadhi said. "We have been involved with exchange programs in the past, and this embark is to operate with friends in the area. It's also a great opportunity for the cadets to come out and see this ship."

Lincoln is currently deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Soldiers on the High Seas: Coordinating Ground Forces Aboard Abraham Lincoln

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy D. Godbee, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Throughout the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Army personnel will be embarked to help coordinate Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 air support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

These U.S. Army ground liaison officers (GLO), assigned to the 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment (Det.), serve as communications links between soldiers and Marines on the ground in Afghanistan and the pilots of CVW 2.

GLOs use various networks such as the combined enterprise regional information exchange system and secret internet protocol router network phones to communicate with ground forces about planned missions and patrols. They also brief pilots prior to every sortie flown in support of OEF. Once the aircraft launch from the ship, the forces on the ground are in direct contact with the pilots in the air.

GLOs also help interpret jargon from the different branches of service and work to decipher it for other personnel.

"Different acronyms often mean different things for each service, and sometimes certain terms are used differently, too," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Bishop. "We act almost as translators between the two when needed."

GLOs deploy for a year at a time and transfer from one carrier to the next whenever a different ship begins operations in support of OEF.

"We were on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) before this, and we'll go to whatever ship relieves Lincoln afterward," said Army Capt. Asher Ballew. "GLOs have been known to be out to sea for up to 120 consecutive days, sometimes more, without a port call. We have to pack light and be ready to move when and where we're needed."

Ballew said working side by side with Sailors aboard a carrier is a rare but exciting experience.

"There's a statistic that only about .01 percent of soldiers will ever serve on a naval warship," Ballew said. "It's pretty cool to be part of such a small statistic."

Lincoln and embarked CVW 2 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of OEF.

Lincoln is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 9, which also includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

Sterett Completes Strait of Hormuz Transit

By Ensign Steven Mulherin, USS Sterett Public Affairs

USS STERETT, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) led the ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 during a routine, scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz to the North Arabian Sea, Feb. 14.

Sterett, the lead ship during the outbound transit, was followed by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). The CSG 9 ships transited the strait to begin conducting flights in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Cmdr. Rich McDaniel, Sterett's commanding officer, said the transit was routine and professional in nature and was carried out without interference.

"Tuesday's transit played out as expected and was completed on schedule," McDaniel said. "I continue to be impressed with the performance of Sterett Sailors on this deployment."

An important element to any strait transit is the preparation conducted by a ship's navigation team, McDaniel added. He said Sterett's navigation team was well-prepared to lead CSG 9 through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lt. j.g. William Pappas, Sterett's navigator, and his contingent of six quartermasters spent hours combing through charts to ensure the ship's safe passage through the strait. They completed the transit without incident.

"My navigation team, comprised largely of junior Sailors, put a lot of time and effort into all of our preparations, especially for transiting the Strait of Hormuz," said Pappas. "Sterett's navigation team was able to plan and execute a safe transit through the strait, and I am proud of their performance."

Sterett and USS Momsen (DDG 92) are part of Destroyer Squadron 9, embarked aboard Lincoln. CSG 9 also includes Cape St. George and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2. CSG 9 is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of OEF.

Three Somalis Charged with Death-Eligible Counts in Murder of Four U.S. Citizens

NORFOLK, VA—Three men from Somalia have been charged in a 26-count superseding indictment with the kidnapping, hostage-taking, and murder of four U.S. citizens during the alleged piracy against the S/V Quest. Twenty-two of the 26 counts are death-eligible offenses related to the murders of Scott Underwood Adam, Jean Savage Adam, Phyllis Patricia Macay, and Robert Campbell Riggle on Feb. 22, 2011. To date, 11 of the 14 charged in connection with the attack on the Quest have pled guilty to mandatory life in prison.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) of the FBI’s New York Field Office; Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Mark Russ, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Norfolk, made the announcement after the superseding indictment was returned. An arraignment has been scheduled for July 20, 2011.

“Today’s superseding indictment charges three men from Somalia with brutally murdering four American citizens held hostage for ransom,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “This past March, the grand jury returned an indictment against these defendants, and others, with piracy in the armed hijacking of an U.S.-flagged yacht. The superseding indictment accuses these three men of summarily executing the hostages—without provocation—while the military was attempting to negotiate their release. With the additional charges, the defendants now potentially face a death sentence if convicted of these horrendous crimes, and the superseding indictment constitutes another important step in bringing to justice those accused of being directly responsible for the killing of innocent Americans. Today’s charges underscore that we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to attacks on our citizens.”

“The charges announced in today’s superseding indictment send a strong message to those who seek to harm Americans on the high seas: you will be subject to American justice,” said FBI ADIC Fedarcyk. “Modern-day pirates remain a very real danger; the FBI joins our international law enforcement partners in our mutual goal of maintaining the rule of law on the high seas.”

“NCIS is committed to—as in the Quest case—capturing and prosecuting alleged pirates through our participation in the FBI’s JTTF but also, to the extent possible, preventing piracy by being the primary law enforcement member of counter-piracy task force CTF-151 since its inception,” said NCIS SAC Russ. “NCIS is uniquely qualified for that mission because we operate daily in a maritime environment around the world to protect Naval personnel and assets.“

According to the superseding indictment, Ahmed Muse Salad, a/k/a “Afmagalo,” 25; Abukar Osman Beyle, 20; and Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar, 29, and others—armed with firearms and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG)—boarded the Quest on Feb. 18, 2011, and allegedly gained control of the vessel and took the four American citizens as hostages. As the conspirators sailed toward Somalia, the three defendants and their co-conspirators took turns standing armed guard over the hostages.

Beginning on Feb. 20, 2011, the United States Navy and the FBI began negotiating with the pirates to secure the release of the hostages. The indictment alleges that after two co-conspirators were transferred to the Navy vessel on Feb. 21, 2011, to represent the conspirators onboard the Quest, Abrar fired a shot over the head of Scott Underwood Adam and instructed Adam to tell the Navy that if the military came any closer, the conspirators would kill the hostages.

After a co-conspirator fired an RPG in the vicinity of the Navy vessel, the USS Sterett, the indictment accuses Salad, Beyle, Abrar, and other co-conspirators of intentionally shooting and killing the four U.S. citizens on Feb. 22, 2011, without provocation before the hostages could be rescued by members of the military, who had been attempting to secure the release of the hostages through negotiation with the conspirators.

On March 8, 2011, the three men were among 14 defendants charged with piracy, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and the use of a destructive device during a crime of violence. Today, Salad, Beyle, and Abrar were charged in a superseding indictment with the following alleged crimes:

■Conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or mandatory life in · · Four counts of hostage taking resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or mandatory life in prison.

■Conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

■Four counts of kidnapping resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or mandatory life in prison.

■Conspiracy to commit violence against maritime navigation resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or a maximum of life in prison.

■Four counts of violence against maritime navigation resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or a maximum of life in prison.

■Piracy under the law of nations, which carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison.

■Two counts of use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum of 30 years and a maximum of life in prison, consecutive to all other counts.

■Four counts of use, brandish, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, which carries a penalty of death or a maximum of life in prison.

The investigation of the case is being conducted by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin L. Hatch, Joseph DePadilla and Brian J. Samuels, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Trial Attorney Paul Casey from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on pcl.uscourts.gov.

Alleged Somali Hostage Negotiator Charged with Piracy, Kidnapping Charges

Conspirator Allegedly Responsible for Ransom Negotiations in Somalia

NORFOLK, VA—The man allegedly identified by conspirators as the person in Somalia responsible for negotiating the ransom of four U.S. citizens held hostage on the high seas has been indicted by a federal grand jury, apprehended in Somalia, and transferred to the United States to face charges.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office; and Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement.

“The arrest of Mohammad Shibin is a significant breakthrough in the United States’ battle against Somali pirates,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Today marks the first time that the U.S. government has captured and charged an alleged pirate in a leadership role—a hostage negotiator who operated in Somalia. We hope that this indictment will strike at the heart of the piracy business and send a strong message to all pirates that they are not beyond the reach of the FBI, whether they board the ships or remain on-shore in Somalia.”

“As 14 heavily armed men holed-up aboard the Quest, Mohammad Shibin allegedly worked behind the scenes determining exactly how much cash could be extorted for the Americans’ safe release,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk. “The FBI remains committed to eradicating this racket of extortion, kidnapping, and killing.”

Mohammad Saaili Shibin, a/k/a “Khalif Ahmed Shibin,” a/k/a “Shibin,” of Somalia, was indicted on March 8, 2011, by a federal grand jury in Norfolk, Va., in association with the alleged pirating of an American yacht, the S/V Quest, and taking hostage four U.S. citizens, who were ultimately killed before their release could be secured. The indictment remained sealed until Shibin made a court appearance on April 13, 2011. Fourteen co-conspirators were indicted the same day and are awaiting a jury trial currently scheduled to begin on Nov. 29, 2011.

According to the indictment, Shibin was not among the conspirators who allegedly sailed the high seas and eventually boarded the Quest on Feb. 18, 2011, holding four U.S. citizens hostage for five days.

As the U.S. military attempted to negotiate with the alleged pirates to attempt to free the hostages, they were informed by one of the conspirators on the Quest that Shibin was the person responsible for negotiating the return of the hostages on board the Quest upon their arrival in Somalia. The indictment alleges that during this period of negotiation, Shibin conducted research on the Internet to learn about the hostages on the Quest and determine the amount of ransom to demand, along with the identity of family members of the hostages whom he could contact about the ransom.

While the military continued its negotiations, at least one of the alleged pirates on board the Quest fired a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) at a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Sterett. That same day—without provocation—at least three of the men on the Quest allegedly intentionally shot and killed the four hostages before their release could be secured.

Following the shooting of the hostages, the Somalis on the high seas were taken into custody by the U.S. military. Court records allege that the men possessed an RPG and several AK-47 and FAL assault rifles.

Shibin and his conspirators are charged with piracy, which carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison. In addition, the indictment also charges them with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, and the use of a destructive device during a crime of violence. The latter charge carries a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, which would run consecutive to all other charges.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New York Field Office and Norfolk Field Office, with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin L. Hatch, Joseph E. DePadilla, and Brian J. Samuels from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Paul Casey of the Counterterrorism Section in the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The public is reminded that an indictment only contains charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov/.

Thirteen Somalis and One Yemeni Indicted on Piracy, Kidnapping Charges

Accused of Pirate Attack that Killed Four U.S. Citizens

NORFOLK, VA—A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has indicted 13 Somalis and one Yemeni with pirating a yacht and taking hostage four U.S. citizens, who were ultimately killed before their release could be secured.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Diego Rodriguez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; Alex J. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Field Office; and Mark Russ, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Norfolk, made the announcement.

"This is a horrific crime, involving the armed hijacking of an American ship and the slaughter of American citizens," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "The alleged pirates will now face justice in an American courtroom."

"These 14 men are alleged to have been willing to do anything, including killing their hostages, in a vain attempt to obtain ransom," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Fedarcyk said. "Modern day piracy has real and serious consequences, disrupting commerce and threatening Americans' lives. It is a crime against the international community, a form of terrorism on the high seas. Today's charges should send a clear message to those who attempt to engage in piracy against Americans or American vessels: even on the open ocean, you are not beyond the reach of American justice."

"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service provides unique forward deployed law enforcement capabilities to the U.S. Navy's Maritime Strategy," said NCIS Special Agent in Charge Russ. "NCIS special agents are currently deployed to support the Navy's counter-piracy strategies and national objectives. This case clearly represents the undeniable aspect of violence and criminality which is associated with all acts of piracy. Additionally, the well coordinated community response demonstrates the strong working relationship between uniformed military forces and NCIS—which is a civilian agency—and our federal partners to ensure cooperative security and stability across the maritime domain."

The indictment was returned on March 8, 2011, and remained sealed until the defendants made their initial appearances before a magistrate judge in Norfolk.

According to a three-count indictment, 14 alleged pirates boarded an American sailing vessel named the Quest on Feb. 18, 2011, and held four U.S. citizens hostage for five days. The U.S. military negotiated with the alleged pirates to attempt to free the hostages. As the military continued its negotiations, at least one of the alleged pirates on board the Quest fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Sterett. That same day—without provocation—at least three of the men on the Quest allegedly intentionally shot and killed the four hostages before their release could be secured.

Following the shooting of the hostages, the Somalis on the high seas were taken into custody by the U.S. military. The indictment states that the alleged pirates possessed a rocket-propelled grenade and several AK-47 and FAL assault rifles and that the defendants threw overboard additional weapons prior to being taken into custody.

All 14 men were charged with piracy, which carries a mandatory penalty of life in prison. In addition, the indictment also charges them with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, and the use of a destructive device during a crime of violence. The latter charge carries a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, which would run consecutive to all other charges.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI's New York Field Office and Norfolk Field Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin L. Hatch, Joseph DePadilla and Brian Samuels from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The public is reminded that an indictment only contains charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at vaed.uscourts.gov or on pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.

Somali Pirates Kill 4 Americans on Hijacked Ship

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2011 – Somali pirates killed all four Americans they had held hostage aboard a sailing vessel in the Indian Ocean this morning, U.S. Central Command officials announced.

U.S. officials were negotiating with the pirates for the safe return of the captured Americans when the murders took place, officials said.

Centcom officials said that in the midst of negotiations, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the S/V Quest. When the forces reached the boat, officials said, they discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds.

During the boarding, the Somali pirates fired on the U.S. forces, who killed two pirates and captured 13 others. U.S. forces already had captured two other pirates, and the servicemembers boarding the Quest found the remains of two other pirates.

“In total, it is believed 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the S/V Quest,” Centcom officials said.

“We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest,” said Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, Centcom’s commander.

The pirates seized the boat Feb. 18 off the coast of Oman. Somali pirates -– often operating from mother ships far out to sea -- have captured scores of ships and generally have held the ships and crews for ransom. News reports indicate Somali pirates currently hold 29 ships with more than 660 hostages.

Piracy in the region occurred originally off of Somalia’s east coast for several years. In August 2009, the pirates extended their attacks to the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and Somalia’s north coast. The pirates since have ranged farther out to sea -– up to 600 miles –- and now affect more than a million square miles in the Gulf of Aden, the west Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

The United States has worked closely with regional and international partners to attack the problem. In this case, American forces closely monitored and tailed the Quest. Four U.S. Navy warships made up a response force dedicated to recovering the S/V Quest: the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf, the guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Bulkeley.