Posted on 11/18/2007 8:39:43 AM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Story Number: NNS071117-11
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships from Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group rendered assistance to five stranded people in the western Mediterranean Nov. 16.
Shortly after transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, a lookout from Truman spotted a small raft with five people aboard waving paddles in the air. Truman's Combat Direction Center directed USS San Jacinto (CG 56) to investigate the scene.
San Jacinto launched one rigid hull inflatable boat with rescue and assistance personnel to aide the raft. After the rescue team determined that the situation was not life threatening, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet notified the Spanish Rescue Coordination Center. San Jacinto provided food and water to the raft's occupants and remained on scene until a Spanish rescue ship arrived and took responsibility for the five passengers.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Bill Gortney, is currently en route to the Central Command area of operations as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations in the region.
It consists of commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 staff; USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing 3; commander, Destroyer Squadron 26 staff; guided missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Hue City (CG 66); guided missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81); attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765); fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8); the Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFG 339); and the British destroyer HMS Manchester (D 95).
Carrier Air Wing 3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 11, VFA-32, VFA-37 and VFA-105; Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 130; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7.
For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur/.
good ol’ Harry A$$
“she looks good” :D
The Carrier, two AEGIS cruisers, three AEGIS destroyers, a SSN, and a Canadian Frigate and UK destroyer, along with the fast support ship...that’s a big, powerful group.
Hey, if you’re going to get rescued, get rescued by the best!
Stranded sailors first thought when approached by the strike group: “boy somebody must think we are important”
Stranded sailors or North African illegals?
Biggest, baddest, bestest!
“Hopefully the Spanish dropped them off back in Morocco...but with EU rules and Spanish socialist SOPs, who knows?”
Typically, the Guardia Civil (which also performs coastguard duties) brings them to Spain to ensure they are medically ok, then deports them.
The raft stops here.
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