Navy calls off search for sailor missing from USS Boxer
NAPLES, Italy — The Navy has called off the search for a sailor missing at sea for nearly a week in the Gulf of Aden.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Bergman, 21, was on temporary duty aboard the USS Boxer when he did not report for watch July 26 and a search of the ship failed to locate him.
Search operations involving numerous ships and aircraft were called off about 6:20 p.m. Friday, according to a Navy statement released Monday.
“After a thorough review of search and rescue data collected during this period, Navy officials determined that every reasonable effort had been expended, and expectations for recovery no longer existed,” according to the statement.
Bergman was assigned to the Navy Information Operations Command in Georgia. He enlisted in the Navy in 2008 and his home of record is Franklin, Tenn., according to the Navy.
All Navy personnel receive basic water survival training, said 5th Fleet spokesman Lt. Frederick Martin in an email Monday.
The incident is being investigated by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 1, of which Boxer is the flagship, as well as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, according to Martin.
The Boxer is based in San Diego and has been deployed to 5th Fleet waters since February.
From staff reports
