USS Carney Rescues 97 Migrants in Mediterranean

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) aided in the rescue of 97 migrants adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, July 29. Carney is forward deployed to Rota, Spain, and is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

Carney provided food and water to the migrants aboard the vessel before coordinating with a nearby merchant vessel to take them to safety. It also provided aid for the migrants until the SOS Mediterranee ship MS Aquarius arrived and took the migrants to safety.

"Today Team Carney aided in the rescue of 97 migrants while operating in the Mediterranean Sea," stated Cmdr. Kenneth Pickard, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64). "Seeing the plight of these desperate migrants and the danger they were in was humbling. As Sailors we make our living on the high seas. We were honored to help these 97 people to safety. My crew acted with the upmost professionalism and compassion and I couldn't be more proud of them."

Highlights:

* 96 men and one woman were onboard the small craft.
* SOS Mediterranee was founded in 2015 and is an independent European humanitarian association whose objective is to operate in different maritime routes and conduct sea rescue operations.
* Members of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) embark with SOS Mediterranee and provide care until the refugees can be turned over to the proper authorities.
* USS Carney (DDG 64) forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is currently attached to the USS Wasp (LHD-1) Amphibious Ready Group that is operating in U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
* U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.