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US Navy transfers rescued Iranian sailors to Iranian Navy ship

Iran Materials 21 August 2010 01:32 (UTC +04:00)
Eight rescued Iranian mariners Friday were transferred to an Iranian Navy ship after their rescue earlier this week by US Navy helicopters from the Arabian Sea, the US military said late Friday, dpa reported.
US Navy transfers rescued Iranian sailors to Iranian Navy ship

Eight rescued Iranian mariners Friday were transferred to an Iranian Navy ship after their rescue earlier this week by US Navy helicopters from the Arabian Sea, the US military said late Friday, dpa reported.

The transfer took place on the Arabian Sea via small boat, after being coordinated bridge to bridge between the nuclear- powered carrier USS Harry Truman and the AKL Chiroo, an Iranian Navy Delvar destroyer class ship, the Bahrain-based US Navy 5th Fleet Command said in a statement.

The Iranians' vessel had caught fire Wednesday and were spotted by an F/A-18 jet assigned to one of the carrier squadrons in the Arabian sea. The stranded sailors were about 80 km from the aircraft carrier and picked up by two helicopters from the Truman within 45 minutes after being spotted.

A search and rescue swimmer dove into the waters near the burning boat and discovered eight people in a raft.

"We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to help our fellow mariners," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander of Carrier Strike Group10.

"We are glad that we were able to help and deliver them safely to the Chiroo so that they can re-unite with their families and loved ones".

Photos released by the US Navy showed the Iranian sailors being received by the Truman's commander, Captain Joe Clarkson, and then scaling the AKL Chiroo from the small US raft.

The Navy said the fishermen, speaking through a translator, offered blessings for the pilots and medical team who had rescued them.

The Truman is conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. None of the Iranian sailors was seriously injured, the US military said.

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