US ships disrupt pirate attack on Philippine vessel

Two Virginia-based ships are being credited with thwarting a pirate attack on a Philippines-flagged merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea.

The Pentagon said the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf responded Thursday to the Falcon Trader II after the ship reported pirates in a skiff were attempting to board the vessel.

The ships dispatched two helicopters to the Philippines vessel, and they fired warning shots. Men were seen jumping from the ship and speeding away in their skiff.

The Pentagon said the pirates also returned fire when they reached their mother ship.

The 20 Filipino crew members emerged from the adventure without injury.

(AP)