Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, a 19-year-old aviation boatswain’s mate for launch and recovery equipment, was presumed dead July 30, 2025, after an assumed overboard incident in the Timor Sea aboard the USS George Washington. (U.S. Navy)
A 19-year-old sailor is believed to be lost at sea this week in an assumed overboard incident that led to a 45-hour search for him in the Timor Sea, the Navy said Friday.
Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, an aviation boatswain’s mate for launch and recovery equipment, was last seen aboard the USS George Washington on Monday, the Navy said. He was from Florida and enlisted in June 2024. He joined the aircraft carrier in January.
Several Navy ships, aircraft and squadrons searched for the sailor alongside Australian forces, covering roughly 2,200 square miles before calling off the efforts on Wednesday.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch,” Capt. Tim Waits, commander of the George Washington, said in a statement. “I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force.”
The George Washington has a crew of about 3,500 sailors and an air wing element of about 2,400 personnel. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was taking part in Operation Talisman Sabre when Rivera Lynch went missing. The major multinational exercise centered on the Sea of Timor, between the northern coast of Australia and the island of Timor.
When the sailor was reported missing Monday, the carrier and the warships in its strike group broke off from the exercise to conduct a search, the Navy said. The search included the destroyer USS Shoup, the cruiser USS Robert Smalls, Helicopter Squadron 12 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 78, as well as multiple aircraft from the U.S. and Australia.
“The courage and dedication shown by all personnel involved in this operation exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that defines our Navy,” said Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5.
