US Navy identifies sailor lost in Arabian Sea after helicopter's emergency water landing

The U.S. Navy on Tuesday identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the sailor lost at sea after an MH-60S helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea last week.

Edwards, the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 (HSC-5), went missing after the helicopter assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush made an emergency water landing on July 1, according to the Navy.

Three of the helicopter's four crew members were successfully recovered, but the Navy suspended its search for the missing sailor on Sunday.

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According to the Navy, the search for Edwards lasted more than 102 hours and covered more than 14,000 square miles.

"The thoughts and prayers of every member of the Carrier Strike Group 10 team are with the Edwards family," Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, said in a statement.

"While we are far from home, our heartfelt support remains at your side," Cimicata continued. "Gabe’s legacy as a husband, father, friend and fearless leader will never be forgotten. We are thankful to each who carry a unique and indelible part of Gabe’s memory with us as we continue this important mission."

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Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said he has directed that Edwards be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.

"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 in a statement.

Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006 before earning his Wings of Gold as a Navy helicopter pilot in 2008, according to the Navy. He assumed command of HSC-5 in July 2025.

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Edwards is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and two children, the Navy 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," she continued. "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."

During his career, Edwards logged more than 2,000 flight hours in multiple Navy helicopter platforms and had been selected for promotion to captain, according to the Navy.

HSC-5 is currently deployed to the Middle East aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. The Navy said mental health professionals, chaplains and other support personnel are assisting members of the squadron and the ship's crew.

The Navy said the cause of the incident remains under investigation and that there is no indication the emergency water landing resulted from hostile action.