In a dramatic rescue operation, U.S. Navy SEAL snipers successfully neutralized Somali pirates who had kidnapped Captain Richard Phillips in April 2009. The incident unfolded when Phillips' cargo ship, the Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. After a tense standoff, Phillips was taken hostage in a lifeboat. 

The U.S. military quickly mobilized, employing intelligence and surveillance to monitor the situation. After negotiations stalled, Navy SEAL snipers positioned themselves strategically. On April 12, after confirming the threat to Phillips' life, the snipers executed a precision operation, taking out three pirates with a single volley, successfully rescuing Phillips without any harm to him. This operation highlighted the skills and professionalism of the Navy SEALs and became a significant moment in the fight against piracy. Captain Phillips' story later inspired the acclaimed film "Captain Phillips," bringing further attention to the challenges of maritime security.