WASHINGTON, April 12, 2009 – President Barack Obama praised the U.S. military\’s rescue of the kidnapped captain of the Maersk-Alabama cargo ship on the waters off the coast of Somalia today.
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Capt. Richard Phillips, right, master of the cargo ship Maersk-Alabama, who had been captured by pirates, stands alongside U.S. Navy Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. Philips was held hostage for four days by the pirates. U.S. Navy photo
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
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U.S. naval forces freed Capt. Richard Phillips five days after Somali pirates took him hostage.
\”I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer,\” Obama said in a White House statement. \”His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.
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