The Navy on Tuesday identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the sailor who went missing following an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea.
The identification of the missing sailor comes after the Navy conducted over 102 hours of search and rescue efforts spanning more than 14,000 square miles.
Edwards, commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, went missing after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter went down in the Arabian Sea on July 1. The helicopter was assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier.
Three of the helicopter’s four flight crew members were recovered following the emergency landing and were reported to be in stable condition.
“Commander Gabe Edwards was the epitome of selfless leadership, who dedicated himself to service and sacrifice for the last 20 years,” Capt. Matthew Lewis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 7, said on Tuesday.
“Our deepest gratitude and sympathy go out to his family, who should know that Gabe led his squadron, the HSC-5 [Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 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 assumed command as the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 in July 2025. He was selected to be promoted to captain in fiscal year 2027.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said Tuesday he directed the Navy to posthumously promote Edwards to the rank of captain in honor of his “extraordinary service and sacrifice.”
Edwards was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps after graduating from Norfolk State University in 2006. He later earned his aviator “Wings of Gold” as a helicopter pilot in 2008 and served with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84, Naval Special Warfare Group 4, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 before serving with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5.
During his 20 years of service in the Navy, Edwards was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and other unit and campaign awards.
Edwards leaves behind his wife, Rebecca, two children, and many extended family members.
“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,” Rebecca Edwards said. “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.”
She said that Gabriel Edwards was not only a respected leader and mentor to the sailors he served with but was also an extraordinary father and husband.
“We find comfort in knowing that Gabe lived a life of extraordinary purpose, devoted to his country, his squadron, and above all, the family he loved so completely,” she said.
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 was deployed to the Middle East on the USS George H.W. Bush one month after the United States launched strikes against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
The Navy confirmed that the cause of the incident involving the emergency helicopter landing remains under investigation. However, officials said there was “no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action,” such as the Iranian military.
