The US Navy halted its search for Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, missing after a Sea Hawk helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea.
The U.S. Navy has provided a major update on its search for a missing crew member. The U.S. Navy has identified the airman who went missing over the Arabian Sea earlier this month as Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, the service announced Wednesday. Edwards, a native of Oakland, Ore., was the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 5 when he went missing July 1 after his MH-60S Seahawk helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea. The Navy called off the search July 5 after more than 102 hours of round-the-clock search and rescue efforts over an area covering more than 14,000 square miles.
The search included ships and aircraft from two carrier strike groups, two patrol and reconnaissance squadrons flying P-8A Poseidon aircraft and several Air Force aircraft, the Navy said. Three other crew members were retrieved after the landing and are in stable condition. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, but “there is no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action,” the Navy said. “Commander Gabe Edwards was the epitome of selfless leadership, who dedicated himself to service and sacrifice for the last 20 years,” said Capt. Matthew Lewis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 7, in a statement.