The U.S. Navy identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the missing sailor after the July 1 helicopter emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea, and the search ended after more than 102 hours. Three of the four crew members were rescued and returned to the USS George H.W. Bush.
Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata
Carrier Strike Group 10 commander Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata called Edwards a “fearless leader” and said, “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,” in a statement Tuesday.
Edwards had led Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 and had served for 20 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, was commissioned through Naval ROTC and received his aviator Wings of Gold in 2008 as a helicopter pilot.
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca Edwards 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.” She added that he was “the love of my life” and said, “His greatest joy was always his family.”
She also said, “Gabe has dedicated his life to serving his country with honor, courage, and commitment,” and, “He led with humility, integrity, and compassion, always putting his people before himself.” Edwards is survived by his wife and two children.
MH-60S Sea Hawk
The military said there was no indication the helicopter was shot down by hostile action. The cause of the emergency landing remains under investigation, leaving the July 1 incident tied to the aircraft’s sudden water landing rather than any declared external attack.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said, “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,” and directed that Edwards be posthumously promoted to his selected rank of captain.
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. For the families and crews involved, the next step is not another rescue effort but the investigation into what caused the landing in the Arabian Sea.
