USNS Impeccable Rescues Distressed Fishermen

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian G. Reynolds, Commander, Submarine Group 7 Deputy Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Military Sealift Command Impeccable-class ocean surveillance ship USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS 23) rescued 11 fishermen while in route to Subic Bay, Philippines July 19.

Impeccable Sailors spotted personnel on a partially submerged ship and noted debris in the water.

The Impeccable Master immediately deemed assistance was required and began preparations to deploy their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to rescue the personnel.

"This was a team effort with civilian mariners, SECDET [security detachment], MILDET [military detachment] and Lockheed Martin working together to achieve an efficient rescue of all 11 fishermen," said Robert Wiechert, Impeccable's Master.

"They [Impeccable crew] initially spotted only eight people on the partially submerged vessel," said Lt. Cory Hilgart, the theater anti-submarine watch officer at Commander, Task Force 74. "They then realized that it was actually 11 and made the call to commence the rescue effort."

The RHIB made three trips to the distressed vessel and recovered all 11 individuals.

"One of the crew members spoke English," said Hilgart. "He told the Impeccable crew that they were fishermen from the Subic Bay region. He confirmed that there were only 11 on board."

Once the mariners were brought aboard Impeccable, they were examined by medical personnel and given food and water. No serious injuries or illnesses were reported.

Shortly after Impeccable arrived in port in Subic Bay, July 20, all 11 mariners were turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Face of Defense: Ranger Saves Drowning Child

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Noggle

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

FORT BENNING, Ga., July 21, 2015 – On the afternoon of July 11, Army Rangers Spc. Luke Smith, Sgt. Khali Pegues, and Sgt. Brian Miller were cleaning up after hosting a barbecue with members of the 75th Ranger Regiment at a community pool area here when they heard cries for help.

A child about 6 years old had fallen into the pool and drowned.

"We heard a woman scream and some commotion from another party," Pegues, Smith’s supervisor, said. "I grabbed Smith to head over there, because I knew he had extensive training in CPR and [lifesaving] techniques."

Smith, a native of North East, Maryland, was a Boy Scout before he enlisted in the Army in 2011. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout as well as earning the Life-Saving Merit Badge and had extensive training in performing CPR.

Operating on Instinct

"We got over there and then I went into a tunnel vision," Smith said. "As soon as I saw the child, I immediately asked everyone around if anyone was a current lifeguard or medical provider. No one responded."

Smith and Miller assessed that the child was unconscious and had no pulse. In addition, the child’s abdomen was swollen and her lips were blue, Smith said. The soldiers immediately started CPR. As Smith began chest compressions, he called for the child’s father to begin rescue breathing.

He instructed the father to do half-breaths, so the child’s lungs would not overexpand. After the second cycle of CPR, Smith said he began to fear the worst.

"As I was giving her chest compressions, I was staring her in the face and praying," said Smith. "Please God, let me save this little girl."

Relief, Thankfulness

It was during the third cycle of chest compressions and rescue breaths that the child woke up in a jolt and began to cough to expel water from her system. Smith said he leaned her forward and began to smack her back to help clear out more water.

Smith said he was relieved and thankful his prayers had been answered.

"Smith held his composure throughout the whole process and took charge of the situation," Pegues said. "No questions asked, he didn't hesitate at all. He snapped to it and immediately did what he had to do."

The local fire department arrived shortly afterward and transported the girl to a medical facility for follow-on treatment.

"It was amazing to see what he did," Pegues said. "I kept looking over at [my] wife and to fight back the tears. That girl was not breathing for a few minutes and we didn’t know how long she was under water."

'I Did What I Was Supposed to Do'

Pegues describes Smith as a confident Ranger and very knowledgeable in his job. He said he attended an event recently to honor Boy Scouts of Columbus, Georgia. During this event, he gained a newfound respect for Eagle Scouts.

"I told Smith a while ago after attending the event that I gained a lot of respect because of what he had to go through [to become an Eagle Scout]," Pegues said. "It didn’t surprise me at all what he did for that girl, I knew he could handle the situation.

Smith said he doesn’t view himself as a hero or someone worthy of praise.

"I just did what anyone else would have done in that situation," he said. "I did what I was supposed to do. If I wasn’t there, someone else would have done it. I do not feel like a hero."

Carter, Yaalon Discuss Shared Commitment to Regional Security

By Cheryl Pellerin

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon yesterday discussed steps to strengthen mutual security in the region, from missile defense and cybersecurity to Israel’s qualitative military edge and joint contingency plans for regional situations.

Carter and Yaalon took the podium at the Israeli defense ministry in Tel Aviv to brief international media representatives on their meetings.

Carter was on the first stop of a weeklong trip to three Middle Eastern nations that also includes Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

“Israel is a cornerstone of our strategy in the Middle East, and its security and qualitative military edge are a top priority for America, for our military and for me personally,” Carter told reporters.

Middle East Strategy

“That's especially true when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, which the deal reached in Vienna last week -- which is a good deal -- is designed to do,” he added.

Some Israeli leaders believe Iran could be strengthened by money and conventional capabilities that the deal allows, but Yaalon and Carter each said no such disagreement could affect the strong bond between Israel and the United States.

“The nations surrounding us are falling apart and are being replaced by a multitude of terror organizations armed not only with advanced weaponry but with murderous ideology,” Yaalon said at the press conference.

“This situation demands all of us -- the United States, Israel and other nations -- to act wisely, responsibly and soberly to identify opportunities and act together to vigorously combat these threats,” he added.

Acting Together

Carter said, “Friends can disagree about whether [the Iran deal] will work, and we'll be watching Iran very closely to see, but there's no disagreement about the ultimate objective. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

There’s also no disagreement, the secretary added, about the threats Israel faces every day from Iran's destabilizing activities and from terrorists like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

Defending Israel

The U.S. pledge to defend Israel remains rock solid, Carter said, and he summarized Defense Department efforts to help strengthen Israel’s security. The department, he added, will continue to do the following:

-- Maintain a robust force posture that allows the rapid surge of forces to help defend Israel if needed, leveraging the most advanced ground, naval and air assets and sophisticated munitions that put no target out of reach.

-- Maintain its ironclad commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge so Israel can defend itself by itself from any threat.

-- Maintain vital support for the Iron Dome air defense system and contributions to the David's Sling and Arrow systems that will shoot down longer-range rockets and ballistic missiles, and continue training and exercising together every year.

Going Forward

The department also will continue to provide advanced capabilities, Carter said.

“Next year, Israel will be our first and only friend in the region flying the F-35 stealth fighter,” he added.

The secretary said these efforts are only part of what the United States is doing for Israel's security.

“As Minister Yaalon and I discussed in our meeting, if more is needed in the future, then we'll do more. Going forward we will ensure that our forces and the unmatched power they bring to bear remain kept at the ready,” Carter said.