Sailor Falls Overboard from the USS Hopper

Mid-afternoon local time over in South West Asia (SWA,) the U.S. Naval Forces CENTCOM's Public Affairs (PA) Commander with the 5^th Fleet announced that they've suspended search operations to locate a missing sailor. The man, whose name is being withheld (most likely pending formal next-of-kin notifications,) was reported missing Thursday morning last week, during the ship's operations in the Arabian Sea. The USS Port Royal, USS Hopper, and USS Ingraham worked together for over 30 hours of Search and Rescue Operations.

Owing to the fact that the Arabian Sea's temperature is measured at 79 degrees Fahrenheit in that area, there was reason to believe the sailor might possibly be found. The PA Officer Lt John Gay appeared optimistic during the search process, due to the warm waters in that area. Officials from the Navy reported that the sailor was seen earlier the same morning of his disappearance, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on January 3^rd, 2008.

It's interesting to note that the Associated Press is currently reporting that these same US Navy ships are now being harassed by Iranian boats. The harassing boats are believed to be part of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Navy. This particular military group is known for their highly aggressive tactics in this volatile area of the world.

Bryan Whitman, in his role as Defense Department (D.O.D.) spokesman, reports that the harassment episodes lasted for 15-20 minutes and is quoted as estimating that the "distances and speeds that showed reckless and dangerous intent - reckless, dangerous and potentially hostile intent." He went on to say that the situation will be addressed with with the Iranian government.

The AP report reveals that an anonymous source quoted the Iranian ship's threat as, "we're coming at you and you'll explode in a couple minutes." The Pentagon Official (Whitman) spoke publicly about how these boats raced up to these large US Navy ships, dropping unidentified boxes into the waters nearby, and swiftly sped away. It is interesting to note that State Department spokesman Sean McCormack briefed reporters that the US will not lodge a formal complaint. McCormack went on to note that some discussion will in fact take place: "Without specific reference to this incident in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States will confront Iranian behavior where it seeks to do harm either to us or to our friends and allies in the region. There is wide support for that within the region and certainly that's not going to change."

It's possible that the Iranians became concerned with the US Navy's search for their lost sailor, in this highly volatile region. Tensions are high in SWA, and the Strait of Hormuz is only 30-miles wide. During the Iraq-Iran conflict of the 1980's, this particular area was the site of armed confrontations between Iran and the United States.

While the US Navy and Coast Guard routinely participate in Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts at home and abroad, exact numbers are kept on a for official use only basis. Public Affairs, Coast Guard, and Navy representatives were unable to secure permission to release any specific information prior to Associated Content press deadlines. During my enlistment in the US Army, as well as my time working alongside US Navy counterparts while serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force, safety was always paramount, in all military branches. The US Navy invests millions of dollars in safety equipment, including a state of the art device attached to sailors, aiding in locating the individual during SAR operations. Be sure to check out this final link http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pnav/is_200303/ai_248991956 for additional information on locator beacons. Unfortunately, the best efforts of the 5th Fleet, as well as modern technology, could not locate this unfortunate young sailor, whomever he may be. It's with great sorrow that Navy officials end SAR efforts, and the effect on morale aboard ship is obviously negative.

Today's Navy sailors have enlisted voluntarily and many choose to reenlist and even make the Navy a career. Life aboard ship is tough and demanding. Deployed into combat and combat support roles, and even during training, accidents are a part of military life. This particular sailor remains nameless at this point, but his crew mates and fellow Navy servicemen and women will mourn his loss, along with his own family. Stay tuned for further reports, once the military public affairs system is cleared to release his name and any further information related to his loss. I will be sure to add a note as information becomes available, but with about 5 minutes until my deadline, I must close this report at this time.