Posted on 08/14/2004 5:15:38 PM PDT by Skwid
USS JFK Rescues Iranian Mariners in Arabian Gulf
Story Number: NNS040814-01 Release Date: 8/14/2004 1:59:00 PM
From Commander, Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (NNS) -- USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) rescued six mariners from an Iranian cargo dhow Aug. 14, after learning that the vessel was taking on water.
The distress signal was initially received by USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), which was operating with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 in the Arabian Gulf. Because the vessel was more than 200 nautical miles away, Mobile Bay relayed the message to John F. Kennedy. Kennedy dispatched two H-60 Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 to the scene at 6:40 a.m. local time. Aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, a P-3C Orion squadron, monitored the dhow and coordinated helicopter rescue operations. The HS-15 air crew rescued all crewmembers aboard the Iranian-flagged dhow Naji.
One survivor reported a broken propeller shaft seal as the cause of the vessel taking on water.
Once aboard, Kennedy’s medical staff treated the mariners, who are in good health, according to the aircraft carrier’s senior medical officer.
Kennedy's leadership is working closely with the U.S. Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain to repatriate the Iranian mariners as soon as possible.
John F. Kennedy and HS-15, both of Mayport, Fla., deployed June 7 and are operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Does John Kerry have to wait until Monday to put in for a Purple Heart?
Hey, the Iranian Navy would've done the same for us. </ sarc>
The USS JF'nK would have consulted "allies" first.
Get names of the heroic sailors who pulled them out of the water. They are entitled to the Silver Star.
Six more souls added to among the millions and millions who owe their lives to the greatest nation on the face of the planet.
"Arabian Gulf" ??
Do they mean Persian Gulf?
My suggestion - turn them over to the British, and let the Iranian goverment negotiate with the British sailors that they abused before they finally released them.
Um, this was definitely a humanitarian thing to do, but heroic??? (Or am I missing a JFQerry reference...?)
Let the Brits put dirty blind folds on them and parade them around before releasing them.
*chuckle*
Bet the Iranians are somewhat upset considering their rhetoric lately?
Blindfold the lot of 'em. Hold 'em hostage. Maybe a beheading or two.
Sorry I should have added a </sarcasm>
That's a bone of contention between the Iranis and the Arabs.
Yes it is. And this isn't the first time our navy has referred to it incorrectly.
Which part of Persia are you from?
I'm not.
You?
Ancestors on my granmom's side were Farsi
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