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Three Ross sailors assaulted by protesters in Istanbul
From: Navy Times
Anti-American protesters shouting "Yankee, go home!" roughed up two or three U.S. Navy sailors in Istanbul, Turkey, near where the destroyer Ross is docked on an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called the attack "reprehensible" in a statement posted Wednesday on Facebook.
"We understand that local law enforcement have suspects in custody," said Mabus, who was in Ankara on Wednesday morning to meet with the Turkish government. "We commend this swift action and are certain that those who did this will be held accountable.
"We have long-enjoyed a strong relationship with Turkey for many years. As NATO allies, we share common interests, and this incident will have no impact on that strong relationship. Turkish ports have long been very popular destinations for U.S. Navy ships, and our sailors have enjoyed the warm hospitality that has traditionally been extended."
The protesters claimed to be from a group called the "Turkish Youth Union," according to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
"It appears the video in question reflects an incident experienced by three USS Ross sailors on liberty in Istanbul, during a port visit," said Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, European Command spokesman, in an emailed statement to Navy Times. "The incident occurred Wednesday morning. U.S. Navy officials are working with the embassy and NCIS to investigate the incident.
"The three sailors were unharmed and are safely back aboard," Hicks said. "They did not require medical attention. The incident does not reflect the hospitality nor the welcome reception our ships receive in port in Turkey. Liberty on board the Ross has been cancelled for the remainder of the day. It is due to get underway shortly per its normal schedule. Liberty on future ship visits is still to be determined pending the investigation."
On its official Twitter feed, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara condemned the attack:
"The video showing an assault on three visiting American sailors is appalling. While we respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, we condemn today's attack in Istanbul, and have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey's reputation for hospitality."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2014/11/12/navy-ross-istanbul-turkish-youth-union-roughed-up/18907615/
From: Navy Times
Anti-American protesters shouting "Yankee, go home!" roughed up two or three U.S. Navy sailors in Istanbul, Turkey, near where the destroyer Ross is docked on an inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in the Black Sea.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called the attack "reprehensible" in a statement posted Wednesday on Facebook.
"We understand that local law enforcement have suspects in custody," said Mabus, who was in Ankara on Wednesday morning to meet with the Turkish government. "We commend this swift action and are certain that those who did this will be held accountable.
"We have long-enjoyed a strong relationship with Turkey for many years. As NATO allies, we share common interests, and this incident will have no impact on that strong relationship. Turkish ports have long been very popular destinations for U.S. Navy ships, and our sailors have enjoyed the warm hospitality that has traditionally been extended."
The protesters claimed to be from a group called the "Turkish Youth Union," according to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
"It appears the video in question reflects an incident experienced by three USS Ross sailors on liberty in Istanbul, during a port visit," said Navy Capt. Greg Hicks, European Command spokesman, in an emailed statement to Navy Times. "The incident occurred Wednesday morning. U.S. Navy officials are working with the embassy and NCIS to investigate the incident.
"The three sailors were unharmed and are safely back aboard," Hicks said. "They did not require medical attention. The incident does not reflect the hospitality nor the welcome reception our ships receive in port in Turkey. Liberty on board the Ross has been cancelled for the remainder of the day. It is due to get underway shortly per its normal schedule. Liberty on future ship visits is still to be determined pending the investigation."
On its official Twitter feed, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara condemned the attack:
"The video showing an assault on three visiting American sailors is appalling. While we respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, we condemn today's attack in Istanbul, and have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey's reputation for hospitality."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2014/11/12/navy-ross-istanbul-turkish-youth-union-roughed-up/18907615/
Posted in these groups: 
Istanbul
Istanbul
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 10
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i want to point out how well my shipmates on the U.S.S ROSS handled this situation. I've read a few other forums and have seen how quick the "key board bad-asses" are to say what they would have done. this was not the time to be violent even when everything was FUBAR they maintained a good POA.
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SFC Mark Merino
"Key board bad-asses." You sir, are just awesome. Please allow me to steal that and use it often.
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LCDR Doug Nordman
Thanks for pointing that out, PO2. My daughter's stationed aboard that ship, and they're proud of their handling of the incident.
She mentioned that they've been training to take pepper-spray shots to the face and keep on fighting, so these crewmembers were ready to respond when necessary.
No after-action critiquing necessary from those who were not present. But as usual, I feel sorry for the next U.S. Navy ship to make that portcall.
She mentioned that they've been training to take pepper-spray shots to the face and keep on fighting, so these crewmembers were ready to respond when necessary.
No after-action critiquing necessary from those who were not present. But as usual, I feel sorry for the next U.S. Navy ship to make that portcall.
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The thing I found most offensive in this story is that the Navy Secretary is using Facebook to make his statement. Good God.
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1LT William Clardy
PV2 Abbott Shaull, it doesn't strike me as being in any worse taste than the embassy condemning the attack because it "disrespects Turkey's reputation". That bit strikes me as being a double whammy -- first, that they're claiming to be offended on behalf of Turkey instead of it being an insult to the United States, and second that a trained diplomatic staff would use "disrespect" instead of "insults".
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CAPT Pete Dallman
MSG Sand, no, it's cool, seriously, FB is what people use to get their news, I'm not kidding you, if that's the way to get out the message, then I'm all for it.
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MSG Brad Sand
CAPT Pete Dallman
Sir, I guess I am just out of it? I know when I want the latest baby pictures, Christmas Elf name generator or official statements for the United States Department of the Navy; I will be following on Facebook. Oh, for the record. The Sec. Navy's Elf name is Speedy Sparkly-Nose
Sir, I guess I am just out of it? I know when I want the latest baby pictures, Christmas Elf name generator or official statements for the United States Department of the Navy; I will be following on Facebook. Oh, for the record. The Sec. Navy's Elf name is Speedy Sparkly-Nose
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As I've said elsewhere, this incident should produce the following: no more ports of call by U.S. warships until the following happens: 1.) The nation of Turkey makes a formal apology to the United States, USS ROSS and the Sailors in question. 2.) The joint investigation apprehends the people behind this incident, those who planned and executed, and arrests and punishments are doled out. Until those conditions are met, no revenue from ships of the U.S. Navy into the hands of the Turks. These are our allies, if you can believe it.
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MSG Brad Sand
CPO Greg Frazho
While I do not disagree with what you posted, IF we are going to hold Turkey responsible for the actions of some of it young people, don't we need toe expect the same from our Government for our young adults...not sure I want the President aplogizing to every head of state for the Occupy idiots? Of course, I think our current President would be happy to be making all those apologies...but that is a different question.
While I do not disagree with what you posted, IF we are going to hold Turkey responsible for the actions of some of it young people, don't we need toe expect the same from our Government for our young adults...not sure I want the President aplogizing to every head of state for the Occupy idiots? Of course, I think our current President would be happy to be making all those apologies...but that is a different question.
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SGT Steve Vincent
MSG Brand, I don't recall any incidents of young Americans assaulting and attempting to kidnap troops from other countries, here in the U.S. Occupy is an internal issue, not something we need to apologize to the world for. If anything, our government has fomented the Occupy movement, to further their own agendas, in which the Occupy movement are useful idiots.
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MSG Brad Sand
SGT Steve Vincent
I don't either but then again you can never trust what the media would let get past their gatekeepers? I am sure there have been incidents of visiting sailors being harassed, robbed or rolled in our country. Criminals are criminals. IF it turns out these thugs were state sponsored, then ignore everything I have said.
I don't either but then again you can never trust what the media would let get past their gatekeepers? I am sure there have been incidents of visiting sailors being harassed, robbed or rolled in our country. Criminals are criminals. IF it turns out these thugs were state sponsored, then ignore everything I have said.
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SGT Steve Vincent
I agree that you can't trust the media. The first thing I noticed that really made my metaphorical ears perk up, was at the very bottom of the story, where it says the AP contributed to this story. The AP is about as liberal and left-leaning as MSNBC when it comes to stories that involve the military. There is pretty much no such thing as news any longer. There are just opinion pieces which various outlets call news stories. It is sickening, and the media is a fifth column in this country, working to subvert the ruile of law. I am not a conspiracy theorist or anything, but I know that the media is complicate in covering up and squashing stories they think will rile up the American people to demand the government to pull its act together and actually follow their own laws. Like the whole story that has broken on a lot of independent media sites, regarding one of the architects of Obamacare, something Gruber, a professor at MIT, talking in a lecture about how they purposefully lied to the "stupid American public" to get it passed, because if they were actually transparent and said what the bill was, and allowed time for it to be examined, the American people would have revolted. he laughed about it, calling us idiots and other things, and now that it is coming to light, he is all "I misspoke. It wasn't what I meant to say" bulls**t.
As for the thugs in Turkey being State-sponsored, I will stake my paycheck that they were. I mean, the camera angles were just too well placed, there was definitely not enough violence involved, etc. I also believe this was the proverbial shot across the bow, and that it will happen again, and it will be bloody. I hate to say it, but I firmly believe we have not heard the last of this.
As for the thugs in Turkey being State-sponsored, I will stake my paycheck that they were. I mean, the camera angles were just too well placed, there was definitely not enough violence involved, etc. I also believe this was the proverbial shot across the bow, and that it will happen again, and it will be bloody. I hate to say it, but I firmly believe we have not heard the last of this.
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