Two days before Christmas, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) rescued seven mariners stranded on a raft in the central Persian Gulf. Truman is a Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft carrier, while Arctic is a Supply class fast combat support ship.

The latter was notified of the situation by a bridge-to-bridge radio call from the British-flagged cargo vessel MV British Courage, requesting assistance rescuing the stranded sailors. Arctic and Truman were conducting a replenishment-at-sea at the time of the call.

The mariners were transporting cargo from Dubai when their dhow encountered rough seas and broke its keel. The men abandoned ship when the vessel started sinking, and remained on a life raft for two days before the rescue.

Arctic dispatched two MH-60S helicopters to the scene and put one rescue swimmer in the water who recovered the four Pakistani and three Indian mariners. The rescued were then brought on board Truman for food, clothing, and medical treatment.

Harry S. Truman and Arctic are currently deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region.