Tag Archives: USS Kidd

The US Navy Rescues 13 Iranian Fisherman

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The USS Kidd came to the aid of 13 Iranian fisherman held hostage by Somali pirates for 40 days. The incident occurred in the North Arabian Sea and was mostly welcomed by Iran: 

Iran’s government on Saturday welcomed the U.S. Navy’s rescue of 13 Iranian fishermen held by pirates, calling it a positive humanitarian gesture.

U.S. officials announced Friday that the fishermen had been rescued by a U.S. Navy destroyer on Thursday, more than 40 days after their boat was commandeered by suspected Somali pirates in the northern Arabian Sea.

“The rescue of Iranian sailors by American forces is considered a humanitarian gesture and we welcome this behavior,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by state TV’s Al-Alam Arabic channel.

Kidd Sailors Hug Iranian Al Molai Fisherman

Good job, USS Kidd. You even set the guy up with his own Kidd ballcap. That’ll be on Iranian eBay in a week. Not everyone in Persia-land is super happy about it:

Iran’s hard-line Fars news agency had a different take, calling the rescue operation a Hollywood dramatization of a routine event.

The Fars report noted that attacks by Somali pirates in the region are common and said that Iran’s navy has itself freed many mariners held by pirates in recent years without seeking to highly publicize it.

Okay tough guys, next time we’ll leave ‘em there.

Sons of Guns, the Best TV Show on Weapons

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Guess who’s back? If you are thinking Santa Claus, you are right, although only partially. Think similar body type, with a love for guns. Will Hayden? You got it! He is a prior Marine who works as a master armorer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Will Hayden, Sons of Guns, Prior Marine, Master Armorer

Back for a third season, Discovery Channel’s “Sons of Guns,” seems ready to explode. The first episode finds:

Will and the Red Jacket crew restore a 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and twin 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns aboard the World War II destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) for an explosive Fourth of July air show. Meanwhile, Steph designs a line of ladies Saiga 5.45 rifles — with fashionable custom paint jobs — much to Will’s chagrin.

There exists simmering tension between Will and his 25 year-old daughter Stephanie‘s new boyfriend, Kris. Will had given Kris Ford the ultimatum, either work at Red Jacket and don’t date Stephanie. Or find another job. We find out in the first episode that he is still working at Red Jacket and dating Stephanie. Perhaps I misunderstood how the last season ended? Or is Kris craftier than he appears?

Stephanie Hayden, Sons of Guns, Discovery Channel 

If you have never watched the show, check it out. Be prepared to hum the theme song, Shelter Me by Buddy Miller, though. It is catchy. (Hmmm, the Yahoo link says: The song is “Shelter me” by Tab Benoit, written by Julie and Buddy Miller, performed by Tab Benoit.)

The crack staff at Navy Times asked Will as to his favorite gun movies. Here is his list:

Last of the Mohicans: “Beautiful work with a musket, a long rifle and a war club.”

Predator: “For a purely fun gun movie, it’s just badass.”

Red Dawn: Remains to be seen if the remake will be any good, but the original is timeless gun-lovin’ glory.

True Grit: “There’s a new one? Sorry, any movie called ‘True Grit’ has got John Wayne in it.”

All Quiet on the Western Front:“I’m looking at a Springfield and an early Enfield here in my office right now.”

Full Metal Jacket and Platoon:“Every war or gun collection has to have those two.”

What no Dirty Harry? Still, good choices. . .