- Comprehensive Special Features New Footage of U.S. Navy's Decisive Response, First-Ever Accounts from Maersk Alabama's Crew and Exclusive Footage From Military Channel Production Crews Aboard U.S. Navy Vessels Leading Counter-Piracy Operations -

SILVER SPRING, Md., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- This past April, news of U.S. Navy snipers bringing a swift end to the Somalia pirate standoff captivated the world's attention. After failing to seize the Maersk Alabama, the three remaining Somali pirates were dramatically shot dead while holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage aboard a powerless lifeboat. However, the heroic stories of the Maersk Alabama's crew and the U.S. Navy's courageous maneuvers have not been shared fully, until now. The Discovery Channel and Military Channel have combined forces to tell the complete story in the world premiere special, SOMALI PIRATE TAKEDOWN THE REAL STORY. This comprehensive special features compelling new footage of the pirates aboard the rogue lifeboat, first-ever broadcast interviews with members of the Maersk Alabama crew, an outline of the U.S. Navy's efforts to successfully rescue Captain Phillips, and exclusive footage shot by Military Channel's embedded crews aboard U.S. Navy ships leading counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. SOMALI PIRATE TAKEDOWN THE REAL STORY premieres Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. An extended version premieres on Military Channel on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 9 PM ET.

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John Ford, president and general manager of Discovery Channel stated, 'The world stopped and watched as the harrowing story of the Maersk Alabama unfolded. This special provides a riveting moment-by-moment account of the ship's story -- from the time the pirates boarded the cargo vessel to the safe return of Captain Phillips -- in an emotional series of first-person interviews with the crew and new footage of the pirates. For the first time, viewers will hear the complete story of what really happened aboard the cargo ship. To be able to showcase the crew's heroism as well as the U.S.