The U.S. Navy has declared five missing crew members dead and shifted from rescue to recovery operations. An MH-60S helicopter was crashed off the coast of San Diego on Tuesday, August 31.
“Assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, the helicopter was conducting routine flight operations from USS Abraham Lincoln when it crashed into the sea approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego at 4:30 p.m. (PST), Aug. 31,” the U.S. Navy said in the statement.
As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Navy policy, the identities of the Sailors will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified, the Navy said.
According to the U. S. Navy, the transition from search and rescue efforts to recovery operations comes after more than 72 hours of coordinated rescue efforts encompassing 34 search and rescue flights, over 170 hours of flight time, with 5 search helicopters and constant surface vessel search.
the units involved in the effort included assets from Coast Guard District 11, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), and helicopter squadrons from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Helicopter Sea Combat Wing and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, the U. S. Navy said in the statement.
An investigation into the incident is underway, the U.S. Navy said.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
