US Navy Calls off Search for Missing Sailor

U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard assets ended the search April 12 for a missing sailor assigned to USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).

The sailor was reported missing April 9 while the ship was conducting routine training operations in support of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise, approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C.

The Navy immediately initiated search and rescue operations. Various Navy and Coast Guard helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft participated in the 72-hour search that covered more than 22,388 square nautical miles.

Several Navy and Coast Guard units were assigned to the effort. USS Carter Hall, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Cole (DDG 67), U.S. Coast Guard Fifth District Command Center, and various Navy and Coast Guard helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.

An investigation into the incident is in progress.