Politics & Government
Navy Identifies 3 Sailors Lost In Pacific Plane Crash
Two sailors from Florida and one from Louisiana were lost at sea after a Navy transport plane crashed on Wednesday.
The three U.S. Navy sailors who went missing in the Philippine Sea after a transport plane crash were identified by the Navy on Saturday.
The sailors were identified as Lt. Steven Combs, Airman Matthew Chialastri and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso. Combs and Grosso were both natives of Florida and Chialastri was from Louisiana.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these Sailors," Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in a statement. "Their service and sacrifice will be lasting in Seventh Fleet and we will continue to stand the watch for them, as they did bravely for all of us."
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The C-2A "Greyhound" was flying to the USS Ronald Reagan when the twin-propeller plane crashed on Wednesday.
Eight people were rescued quickly and were in good condition, but Japanese and U.S. ships and aircraft had continued searching for the others.The crash was about 500 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa, Japan. It was transporting passengers and cargo from Japan to the aircraft carrier.
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The Reagan was participating in a joint exercise with Japan's navy when it crashed. The carrier was leading the search and rescue efforts along with Japan's naval forces.
The Japan-based 7th Fleet has had two fatal naval accidents in Asian waters this year, leaving 17 sailors dead and prompting the removal of eight top Navy officers from their posts, including the 7th Fleet commander.
The USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided near Singapore in August, leaving 10 U.S. sailors dead. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided off Japan. The Navy has concluded the collisions were avoidable and recommended changes including improved training and increasing sleep and stress management for sailors.
An investigation is underway.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pictured from left to right: Lt. Steven Combs, Airman Matthew Chialastri, Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso, Photos via U.S. Navy
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