The U.S. Navy on Tuesday named Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the missing sailor who was aboard a helicopter that crashed in the Arabian Sea on July 1.
Edwards, who commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, was part of a four-person crew flying an MH-60S Sea Hawk when the aircraft went down. Three crew members were rescued from the water after what the Navy described as an emergency water landing. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said Sunday that the search for Edwards had been suspended after more than 102 hours.
“The thoughts and prayers of every member of the Carrier Strike Group 10 team are with the Edwards family. While we are far from home, our heartfelt support remains at your side,” Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, said in a statement Tuesday.
Cimicata described Edwards as a “fearless leader” and said his legacy would not be forgotten.
U.S. Navy / Cmdr. Gabe Edwards Bio Photo
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao also paid tribute to Edwards, saying in a statement that he had ordered Edwards to be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain, for which he had already been selected.
“I am deeply grateful to every sailor and airman who took part in the search and who continue to support his family, friends, and shipmates,” Cao said.
A native of Oakland, Oregon, Edwards served in the Navy for 20 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and received his commission through the Naval ROTC.
According to the Navy, Edwards earned his aviator “Wings of Gold” in 2008 as a helicopter pilot. His career included assignments with HSC-22, HSC-84, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 and HSC-85 before he took command of HSC-5 in July of last year.
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The search covered more than 14,000 square miles and involved multiple aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, helicopter squadrons, anti-submarine squadrons and U.S. Air Force aircraft, according to the Navy.
Edwards is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and two children, the military said.
“We are profoundly grateful to every Sailor, aviator, and Airman who devoted countless hours, extraordinary skill, and unwavering determination in the effort to bring Gabe home,” Rebecca Edwards said in a statement. “Gabe has dedicated his life to serving his country with honor, courage, and commitment. He led with humility, integrity, and compassion, always putting his people before himself. To those who served alongside him, he was a respected leader and mentor. To our family, he is the love of my life, an extraordinary father to his children, and the foundation of our home. His greatest joy was always his family.”
The three crew members who were rescued were returned to the USS George H.W. Bush, to which the helicopter was assigned.
The cause of the emergency landing is under investigation, the Navy said. There was “no indication” that the helicopter was shot down by hostile action, according to the military.
Emily Mae Czachor and
contributed to this report.
