The U.S. Navy identifies Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, as the missing sailor following a helicopter’s emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1. (U.S. Navy)
The commanding officer of a helicopter squadron assigned to the carrier USS George H.W. Bush was the crew member lost at sea and now presumed dead following a July 1 emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.
Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, was the missing crew member, the Navy reported late Tuesday.
“Commander Gabe Edwards was the epitome of selfless leadership, who dedicated himself to service and sacrifice for the last 20 years,” said Capt. Matthew Lewis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 7. “Our deepest gratitude and sympathy go out to his family, who should know that Gabe led his squadron, the HSC-5 ‘Nightdippers,’ with integrity and fortitude, building a cohesive organization that will continue to embody the exceptional standards he set while in command and throughout his naval career.”
Edwards, of Oakland, Ore., was in the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopter that ditched with four crew members.
Three other crew members were rescued following the ditching of the Seahawk. It was assigned to “The Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 from Naval Station Norfolk.
The Navy said it searched over 14,000 square miles for 102 hours before attempts to rescue the sailor were suspended on Sunday. U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft took part, along with USS George H.W. Bush and guided-missile destroyers.
“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,” Edwards’ wife, Rebecca Edwards, said in a statement. They have two children. “Gabe has dedicated his life to serving his country with honor, courage and commitment. 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.”
The cause of the incident is under investigation, but there was no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action, the Navy said last week.
Edwards, who assumed command of the squadron in July 2025, accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours in the SH-60F, HH-60H and MH-60S helicopter. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and campaign awards.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said in a post on X that Edwards would posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.
George H.W. Bush deployed March 31 from Naval Station Norfolk and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of Africa to begin operating in the CENTCOM area of responsibility in the Arabian Sea since April 23.
The “S” or “Sierra” variant involved in Wednesday’s incident has large sliding doors on both sides, making operations easier. Slightly less than half of the Navy’s battle force ships currently deployed and operating at sea worldwide are in the Middle East, according to USNI News data. That figure excludes ships on local operations.
About 50,000 U.S. service members are operating in the Middle East, CENTCOM said last week.
