Former San Diego-based sailor allegedly e-mailed terror suspect

[Kadie]

Former San Diego-based sailor allegedly e-mailed terror suspect

By SETH HETTENA, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated: August 6, 2004, 04:05:20 PM PDT


SAN DIEGO (AP) - A former sailor aboard a San Diego-based ship allegedly praised a deadly terror attack on a U.S. destroyer and communicated with a British man arrested on suspicion of having terrorist ties, according to a court document unsealed Friday.

The sailor on the USS Benfold, whose name has not been released, allegedly sympathized with the jihad cause and sent e-mails to anti-Western Web sites run by Babar Ahmad. British police arrested Ahmad, 30, earlier this week on a U.S. extradition warrant charging that he used the Internet to help Taliban fighters recruit and raise money.

The USS Benfold left San Diego in March 2000 and returned shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. It was part of a battle group that included a second destroyer, the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, two nuclear submarines, two frigates, a cruiser and a support ship.

On Friday, the ship was docked at a San Diego Navy base.

more...
http://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/8956233p-9848550c.html

[HawkerHurricane]

1. As a sailor of this battle group....

Aboard one of the ships, I can tell you that this part is nonsense...

snip
"Weakness: They have nothing to stop a small craft with RPG etc., except their Seals' stinger missiles," the affidavit quotes the document as stating.

It concluded: "Please destroy message."

The document, written in 2001, notes that the USS Benfold and its battle group were enforcing sanctions against Iraq and conducting operations against Afghanistan and al-Qaida.

It noted that the ships were to pass through the Persian Gulf's Straits of Hormuz the night of April 29, 2001 under a communications blackout, and included a drawing of the battle group's formation. The ships were not attacked.

Snip

First off, I don't think a Seal Team was assigned to us.

2nd off, Stinger missiles are anti-aircraft heat seekers, and are useless against small boats.

3rd off, each ship of the battle group, including USS Benfold, had 25mm chain guns, .50 cal Machine Guns, mk 21 40mm automatic grenade launchers, and M-60 Machine Guns... all very useful against small craft, and in fact the crews were trained in how to use them against "small craft with RPG's".

I know this because my station during the Straits of Hormuz transit was on one of my ship's M-60's, as part of the 'Small Craft Attack Team'.

My ship (a Frigate) had manned up...
1 25mm chain gun
4 .50 cal MG's
2 40mm grenade launchers
2 M-60 MG's
and the 76mm cannon.

A small craft showing 'hostile intent' ie a guy with a RPG would be Swiss cheese.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Very interesting information, HH -- thanks!

[haele]

3. Oh, you know how it is...

The guy on the ship was either a FNG trying to sound bad or someone who was playing spy games with or without knowledge of the Intel officer onboard. If s/he (Benfold has females onboard) was trying to play big bad James/Jane Bond without going through the Intel folks, they'd definatly be even more stupid than the average newbie.

Just my two cents.
Haele

[HawkerHurricane]

4. I agree

A FNG (a very clueless one) or a wannabe spy, feeding false information.