CENTCOM statement on events in the Gulf of Oman

Courtesy Photo | GULF OF OMAN (June 13, 2019) In this Powerpoint slide provided by U.S. Central Command damage from an explosion, left, and a likely limpet mine can be seen on the hull of the civilian vessel M/V Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman, June 13, 2019, as the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), not pictured, approaches the damaged ship. Sailors aboard Bainbridge aided the crew of Kokuka Courageous. Bainbridge is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)  

GULF OF OMAN, USCENTCOM, AT SEA

06.13.2019

Courtesy Story

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

Story Number: NNS190613-11Release Date: 6/13/2019 2:09:00 PM
By Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs
TAMPA (NNS) -- "Twenty-one mariners from the M/V Kokuka Courageous, who abandoned ship, were rescued and are currently aboard USS Bainbridge.

USS Bainbridge remains in close contact with the M/V Kokuka Courageous and is the on-scene U.S. command authority. No interference with USS
Bainbridge, or its mission, will be tolerated.

USS Mason (DDG 87) is en route to the scene to provide assistance.

The U.S. and our partners in the region will take all necessary measures to defend ourselves and our interests. Today's attacks are a clear threat to international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce. The U.S. and the international community stand ready to defend our interests, including freedom of navigation. This is a threat to maritime shipping and
international commerce.

The U.S. and our regional partners are assisting in the response to attacks in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. and the international community, stand ready to defend our interests, including freedom of navigation.

We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. We
will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic
interest, nor in the best interest of the international community."


"U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time and a second one at 7:00 a.m.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received the calls from the M/V Front Altair and M/V Kokuka Courageous, who were operating in international waters of the Gulf of Oman.

USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) was operating in the vicinity and provided immediate assistance to the M/V Kokuka Courageous.

Twenty-one mariners from the M/V Kokuka Courageous, who abandoned ship, are currently aboard USS Bainbridge. A Navy P-8 is also providing support."

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For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/ or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.
For more news from USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), visit https://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg96/ or https://www.facebook.com/ussbainbridge/.
For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group (CVN 72) visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/
Oscar Sosa
Navy Media Content Operations Navy Office of Information 1200 Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-1200 [phone]

• Date Taken: 06.13.2019
• Date Posted: 06.13.2019 23:27
• Story ID: 327384
• Location: GULF OF OMAN, USCENTCOM, AT SEA