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Officials: Navy has amphibious assault ship ready

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-11 11:17

WASHINGTON – The Navy is moving a huge amphibious ship closer to the scene of the pirate hostage standoff off Somalia.

This Dec. 2008 image provided by the US Navy shows the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer off the coast of southern California. The Navy is moving the ship closer to the scene of the pirate hostage standoff off Somalia and Defense officials say it should be nearby soon. [Agencies]

Related readings:  US hostage fails in escape bid from Somali pirates  Pirates vow to fight if attacked by US  Officials: Pirates, terrorists not linked directly

Defense officials say the USS Boxer will be nearby soon. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss sensitive ship movements.

The Boxer is the flag ship for a multination anti-piracy task force. The Boxer resembles a small aircraft carrier. It has a crew of more than 1,000, a mobile hospital, missile launchers and about two dozen helicopters and attack planes.

Two other Navy ships are expected to remain much closer to the pirate-held lifeboat. The USS Bainbridge is in sight of the lifeboat; the USS Halyburton is nearby. The Bainbridge uses drones to keep watch on the lifeboat. The Halyburton has helicopters.