USS John S McCain: US Navy Appreciates Malaysia's Help In SAR - Minister Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The US Navy appreciates the assistance rendered by the Malaysian armed forces in the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the 10 sailors from the USS John S. McCain guided-missile destroyer which was reported missing after it collided with a merchant vessel, in waters of Teluk Ramunia, Malaysia’s southern state Johor, on Monday. Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said this was conveyed by Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott H Swift, who met him at his office at the Defence Ministry here Monday. "Swift met me before continuing his journey to Singapore and he appreciates the contributions and efforts by the Malaysian armed forces involved in the SAR for the 10 sailors on the guided-missile destroyer,” he told a media conference after opening the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) education award here Tuesday. Hishammuddin said five ATM assets were mobilised in the SAR operations, including KD Gempita, KD Lekiu, an Agusta A109 helicopter and an EC 725 helicopter. -- BERNAMA