By Lt. Patricia Kreuzberger, Amphibious Squadron 6 Public
Affairs
MEDITTERANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious
assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 persons in distress to the
Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were
medically evacuated to Malta, June 7.
Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance June 6 to
persons in distress at sea in the Mediterranean after receiving a report of a
sinking small vessel. Bataan provided food, water, medical attention and
temporary shelter.
Elrod and Bataan received a report from an Italian military
marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was
sinking, at approximately 3 p.m., June 6.
Bataan launched two Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Sea Hawk
helicopters to investigate. Once on scene, Bataan's SAR helicopters confirmed a
small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to
start extracting persons from the water. Elrod deployed their 7-meter rigid
hull inflatable boat (RHIB); Bataan deployed their 11-meter Captain's Gig and
7-meter RHIB to assist. 282 persons were recovered and brought on board Bataan.
Bataan, with elements of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is
operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to augment U.S. Crisis
Response forces in the region.
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