151117-N-JC374-138 ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 17, 2015) Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Soualiho Fofana, assigned to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 56.1, uses a satellite phone for communications during a U.S.-U.K. Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX). U.S.-U.K. MCMEX is designed to improve interoperability and evolve the expeditionary mine countermeasures company concept of employment from an afloat forward staging base and afloat platforms of opportunity. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonah Stepanik/Released)
It seems according to multiple operational reports received by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in the the days after the 15 hour detainment of 10 U.S. Sailors and their two NAVCENT Riverine Command Boats (RCBs) after they drifted into Iranian territorial waters shows that some sat phones were fooled with.
A post-recovery inventory of the boats found that all weapons, ammunition and communication gear are accounted for minus two SIM cards that appear to have been removed from two handheld satellite phones.
The Sailors are in good health and continue to go through the reintegration process. The Navy command investigation continues and more details will be provided when it is completed.
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