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Kennedy Rescues Iranian Mariners, Vicksburg Helps Them Get Home

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040818-04 Release Date: 8/18/2004 3:38:00 PM

From USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs

NORTH ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) (JFK) rescued six mariners from an Iranian cargo dhow Aug. 14, after learning that the vessel was taking on water.

"We thought we were dead. We made smoke so people would see us. Three boats passed us before the helicopter came to get us," said Mortada G. Asfendeary through translator Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Moataz Ghonem, an Egyptian-American assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15, embarked on John F. Kennedy with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17.

A distress signal was initially received by USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), which was operating with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 in the North Arabian Gulf. Because the vessel was more than 200 nautical miles away, Mobile Bay relayed the message to John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy dispatched two HH-60 Seahawk helicopters from HS-15 to the scene at 6:40 a.m. local time. Aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, a P-3C Orion squadron, monitored the dhow and coordinated helicopter rescue operations.

"The training we get made this rescue very reflexive," said Lt.j.g. James Udall, an HH-60 pilot involved in the operation. "We train for this so many times, and our continual, repetitive training made the coordination flow very smoothly."

He praised his shipmates and air crew for their professionalism.

"The swimmers and crew chief were outstanding. They didn't hesitate for a moment about getting in the water," he said. "They were focused on rescuing these guys. They take a risk every time they get in the water, but they put that risk aside and did their jobs the way they were trained to do - and saved six lives."

The HS-15 air crews rescued all crewmembers aboard the Iranian-flagged dhow Naji.

"The most striking thing was they didn't seem eager to get off the boat right away. We believed it was because they didn't want to leave their livelihoods," Udall said.

A broken propeller shaft seal caused the vessel to take on water, according to one survivor.

"When we arrived, the main deck of the ship was a couple of feet from the waterline, but when we left, it was a foot from the waterline," Udall said.

"Thank you, thank you America," said Naser Asfendeary after arriving safely aboard John F. Kennedy. Once aboard, Kennedy's medical staff treated the mariners, who were in good health, according to the aircraft carrier's senior medical officer. After getting a check-up and taking a shower, the Iranian guests had a hot meal.

"They were a little hungry and a little thirsty, so we gave them some food, water and tea," said Capt. Tom Hatley, John F. Kennedy's senior medical officer. "They drank lots of tea."

Kennedy's leadership worked closely with the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain to repatriate the Iranian mariners as soon as possible.

"This was about Sailors helping Sailors," said Capt. Steve Squires, Kennedy's commanding officer.

While aboard, the international mariners received toiletries, JFK t-shirts, boots, coveralls and tea for the trip back home. After spending almost eight hours on the aircraft carrier, the Iranians were transferred to USS Vicksburg (CG 69) for follow-on transport to an Iranian civil authorities' boat.