The U.S. Navy has suspended its search for a missing sailor after an MH-60S helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea on July 1. The extensive search, which spanned over 14,000 square miles and involved multiple military branches, concluded after 102 hours without locating the missing service member. Three of the four crew members were rescued and are in stable condition.
The helicopter, assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea. Military officials stated there was no indication of hostile action, such as an attack by Iranian forces, as the cause of the crash. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The USS George H.W. Bush remains in the Middle East as part of heightened military presence in the region amid tensions with Iran. The U.S. has lost 42 aircraft in Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign against Iran launched in February. Earlier in June, an Apache helicopter was shot down by an Iranian drone, though both crew members were rescued.