Arabian Sea – U.S. Marines launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and flew over the Arabian Sea to intercept the vessel M/V Touska.

The Marines rappelled down onto the Iranian-flagged cargo ship on April 19, carrying out the boarding operation from the air.

The action followed an earlier confrontation in which the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted the ship as it moved through the northern Arabian Sea toward Bandar Abbas, Iran.

U.S. forces had issued repeated warnings to the vessel over a six-hour period, informing the crew they were violating a naval blockade. The ship did not comply.

After the warnings were ignored, the destroyer instructed the crew to evacuate the engine room before opening fire. Several rounds from a 5-inch MK 45 gun struck the engine section, disabling the vessel’s propulsion.

With the ship immobilized, Marines carried out the boarding by descending directly onto the deck, taking control of the vessel.

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