Navy identifies missing helicopter commander after Arabian Sea emergency landing

An MH-60S Sea Hawk made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1, and the Navy identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, as the missing sailor. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao directed that Edwards be posthumously promoted to his selected rank of captain.

The search for Edwards was suspended on July 5 at 3:00 p.m. AST after more than 102 hours of continuous rescue operations that covered more than 14,000 square miles. Ships and aircraft from two carrier strike groups joined two Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadrons flying P-8A Poseidons, along with multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft, in the effort to find him. Three of the helicopter’s four crew members were recovered and were in stable condition aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.

There was no indication the emergency landing was caused by hostile action, and the cause remains under investigation. The helicopter was assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, which left Naval Station Norfolk on March 31 and began operating in the CENTCOM area of responsibility in the Arabian Sea on April 23.

Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in physics and commissioned through Naval ROTC. He earned his Wings of Gold in 2008 and later served with HSC-22, HSC-84, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 and HSC-85 before taking command of HSC-5 in July 2025. He logged more than 2,000 flight hours in SH-60F, HH-60H and MH-60S helicopters and received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Capt. Matthew Lewis of Carrier Air Wing 7 said Edwards had dedicated 20 years to service. Rebecca Edwards said her husband led with humility, integrity and compassion. He is survived by his wife, two children and an extended family.