Navy Identifies Missing Pilot After Emergency Landing At Sea

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday identified the aviator who went missing after the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter he was aboard made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.

Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, remained missing after the helicopter made an emergency landing around 3:30 a.m. EDT on July 1. Three other crew members were rescued, but search efforts spanning 102 hours and 14,000 square miles ended without locating Edwards.

“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. “Our deepest gratitude and sympathy go out to his family.”

Edwards had served in the Navy for two decades and was leading Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, which flies the MH-60S Sea Hawk, during the USS George H.W. Bush’s deployment. The Sea Hawk is a multi-mission helicopter used for logistics, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and other fleet missions.

The search included Navy and Air Force aircraft, destroyers, and helicopter squadrons from across the region. The Navy suspended search-and-rescue operations on Monday.

“The efforts concluded following an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” the service said in a statement.

The Navy previously said there was no indication that the helicopter’s emergency landing was caused by hostile activity. Officials have not released additional details about what led to the emergency landing, and the incident remains under investigation.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in a Tuesday statement that Edwards would be promoted to the rank of captain posthumously.

“For 20 years, Commander Edwards served our nation with courage and integrity,” Cao wrote. “In recognition of his extraordinary service and sacrifice, I have directed that Commander Edwards be posthumously promoted to his selected rank of captain.”

Edwards is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and their two children. In a statement, the family remembered him as a devoted husband and father and thanked those who took part in the search.

“Gabe has dedicated his life to serving his country with honor, courage, and commitment,” Edwards said. “He led with humility, integrity, and compassion, always putting his people before himself.”