Sailor missing in Arabian Sea declared dead
The Navy searched more than 14,000 square miles over 102 hours before recovering the missing commanding officer and declaring him deceased.
- The U.S. Navy recovered the body of Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards on Tuesday, the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 who went missing during a July 1 emergency helicopter water landing in the Arabian Sea.
- Navy search teams suspended operations on Sunday after a 102-hour effort covering more than 14,000 square miles, utilizing aircraft from two carrier strike groups and multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft.
- During his 20-year career, Edwards accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours, leading the HSC-5 "Nightdippers" with "integrity and fortitude," according to Carrier Air Wing 7 commander Matthew Lewis.
- The incident remains under investigation, with the Navy stating there is "no indication" the emergency was caused by hostile action, as counselors actively support the squadron and ship's crew.
- Gold Star mother Gunn, who lost her son in the 2000 USS Cole attack, told families the Edwards family won't walk "the difficult road ahead" alone, offering "I'll be there for you.
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17 Articles
US naval commander dies as Trump declares ceasefire 'over'
On Tuesday, a U.S. naval commander who crashed in the Arabian Sea was declared dead. That very day, President Donald Trump was at the NATO summit in Turkey, casually announcing that the ceasefire with Iran was “over” with no mention of the costs of war being borne by Americans and people around the world. According to the New Republic, “The missing soldier was identified Tuesday as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 commanding officer Gabriel Edwa…
U.S. NAVY IDENTIFIES MISSING PILOT LOST AT SEA AS OAKLAND NATIVE
July 8, 2026 10:50 a.m. A U.S. Navy Pilot missing after a helicopter’s emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1st, has been identified as an Oakland, Oregon native. A release from Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs said the man is Commander Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron. He is presumed deceased. Rear Admiral Todd Cimicata, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 said, “The thoughts and prayers o…
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