17 April 2009: Captain Richard Phillips gives a short speech of thanks after returning to the United States and an 18-hour journey home from Mombasa, Kenya, being re-united with his family as he arrives at the Burlington International Airport, in Burlington, Vermont, USA 17 April 2009. Captain Phillips was held hostage for five days by Somali pirates in an attempted hijacking of the Maersk cargo ship Alabama. United States Navy Seal sharpshooters on the USS Bainbridge killed three pirates to free Captain Phillips in his dramatic rescue.