Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of maritime security operations, assisted three Iranian mariners in distress, Nov. 18.

Nitze received notification from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) of a small fishing vessel in distress. Once Nitze's crew identified the distressed vessel, the ship took immediate action to render assistance.

After confirming the distressed vessel's mariners were safe, they discovered the vessel had a dead battery. Nitze provided the Iranian crew with a new battery and a case of water.

"Our Sailors are trained to respond quickly to those in distress at sea," said Cmdr. Paul Kaylor, commanding officer of Nitze. "We are proud to have assisted in this situation."

U.S. naval forces have a long tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance, as well as search and rescue. Ships deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command assisted mariners on more than 30 occasions since 2012, 12 of which involved Iranian mariners.

Ike and its carrier strike group, including Nitze, are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 5th Fleet operates in approximately 2.5 million square miles including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, and conducts persistent maritime operations to help set the conditions for security and stability, to deter and disrupt trans-national terrorist organizations, and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities in order to promote a secure maritime environment.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/.