BREAKING NEWS: The U.S. Navy has identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, as the sailor lost following an emergency water landing by an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter in the Arabian Sea.
The Navy formally concluded search and rescue operations after more than 102 hours of multi-branch search efforts covering over 14,000 square miles.
Three other crew members on board were recovered safely and reported in stable condition.
Emergency Landing and Search Operations
The incident occurred when an MH-60S Seahawk assigned to HSC-5, embarked on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, executed an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.
Following the landing, three crew members were promptly rescued, while a comprehensive search operation was initiated for Cmdr. Edwards.
The search utilized destroyers, fixed-wing aircraft from two carrier strike groups, P-8A Poseidon patrol squadrons, and U.S. Air Force assets before being suspended.
Investigation and Commander’s Background
Military officials stated that the cause of the incident remains under investigation, adding that there is no indication the landing was caused by hostile action.
Cmdr. Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006 with a degree in physics and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program.
He earned his aviator wings in 2008 and accumulated over 2,000 flight hours during a 20-year career.
His naval service included assignments with HSC-22 (