The U.S. Navy has identified the sailor lost in the Arabian Sea as Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5.
Cmdr. Edwards went missing on July 1, 2026, following what the Navy termed an “emergency landing” of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter operating from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. Three other crew members on board were successfully rescued and are in stable condition.
Following a massive 102-hour search-and-rescue operation that spanned more than 14,000 square miles and involved multiple destroyers, aircraft from two carrier strike groups, and the U.S. Air Force, the Navy officially suspended search efforts.
Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, served in the Navy for 20 years. He graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006 with a degree in physics and earned his “Wings of Gold” in 2008. Over his distinguished career, he logged more than 2,000 flight hours and earned multiple decorations, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
He took command of HSC-5, known as the “Nightdippers,” in July 2025. In recognition of his service, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced that Edwards will be posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.
