U.S. Military Suspends Search for Sailor Missing After Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash

The U.S. military suspended its search Sunday afternoon for a sailor missing since July 1 after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea. The efforts concluded following an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement Sunday morning.

The suspension took effect Sunday afternoon.

Military crews searched for more than 102 hours and covered more than 14,000 square miles. The operation involved multiple aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, helicopter squadrons, anti-submarine squadrons and U.S. Air Force aircraft. The sailor went missing when the four-person crew was rescued at sea following the emergency water landing.

Three members returned to the USS George H.W. Bush, to which the helicopter was assigned. Authorities will not publicly release the missing sailor's name until next-of-kin have been notified and at least 24 hours have passed after notification, the Navy said.

There was no indication that the helicopter was shot down by hostile action, according to the military. The U.S. military said no foul play is suspected in the incident, which also injured three additional sailors. The USS George H.W. Bush is one of two aircraft carriers that remains in the Middle East, having been there since late April.