Navy Identifies Missing Sailor After Helicopter Incident

The Navy has identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the missing sailor following a helicopter’s emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1. Edwards served as the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5.

Initial rescue efforts successfully saved three crew members shortly after the aircraft incident. Unfortunately, Cmdr. Edwards was not among them. His absence prompted an extensive search mission that covered 14,000 square miles. The operation involved numerous ships and aircraft in a coordinated effort to locate him, according to the Navy’s report.