Sailors from the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group rescued two Iranian mariners in distress in international waters on August 23, 2024. The incident occurred in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations, where the strike group was conducting routine operations.
The rescue operation began around 7:00 a.m. local time when the mariners were spotted in the water. A rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from the USS Daniel Inouye, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and a search and rescue helicopter from the USS Theodore Roosevelt were deployed to recover the individuals. The mariners were subsequently airlifted to the USS Theodore Roosevelt by an MH-60S helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, where they received medical care, food, and water.
Rear Admiral Christopher Alexander, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, praised the swift and professional response of the Navy personnel involved in the rescue. “Aiding distressed mariners is a mission that our strike group will always stand ready to support. It is the right thing to do, and further demonstrates that the U.S. Navy is a force ready when called upon,” Alexander said.
Sailors assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group rescued two Iranian civilian mariners under distress in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations (AOR). Read the full release here: https://t.co/IOCPHjhZq7 pic.twitter.com/lGlTI7t40o
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 29, 2024
The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, along with the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, has been deployed in the Middle East amid concerns over potential Iranian aggression following recent geopolitical developments.
The circumstances leading to the Iranian mariners being in distress have not been disclosed, nor has the exact location of the rescue. The U.S. Navy’s actions reflect its longstanding practice of providing assistance to mariners in need, regardless of nationality or the broader political context.
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