Truman Carrier Strike Group Assists Stranded Sailors
Story Number: NNS071117-11
Release Date: 11/17/2007 8:41:00 PM
From Commander, Naval Forces Europe – Commander, 6th Fleet Public Affairs
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.
