Current:Home > ContactNavy identifies Florida sailor who died while deployed in Red Sea: He embodied 'selfless character'-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Navy identifies Florida sailor who died while deployed in Red Sea: He embodied 'selfless character'
lotradecoin tools View Date:2024-12-26 05:40:35
The U.S. Navy has identified a Florida sailor who went missing last week and died while deployed in the Red Sea.
The sailor was identified as Oriola Michael Aregbesola, 34, military officials said Saturday. Aregbesola was an aviation machinist's mate 2nd class and was stationed on the USS Mason in the Red Sea.
"Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor," Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer, said in a statement. "His outstanding performance prior to and during deployment went well beyond aircraft maintenance; he truly saw and valued every member of the ship/air team."
Aregbesola was supporting operations in the Red Sea when he went overboard on March 20, according to the U.S. Central Command. Further details about the incident were not immediately provided but officials said search and recovery operations were conducted.
Aregbesola died as a result of a non-combat-related incident, the Department of Defense said in a statement. The incident is under investigation.
The death of Aregbesola is the latest involving U.S. service members deployed in areas in or near the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas war. In January, two Navy SEALs had gone missing in the Arabian Sea during a nighttime boarding mission to seize an unflagged boat carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.
Who was Oriola Michael Aregbesola?
Aregbesola was from Miramar, Florida, and was stationed on the USS Mason deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, according to the Department of Defense.
He was assigned to the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the Navy said in a statement. The USS Mason had been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area since November.
Aregbesola joined the Navy in July 2020 and reported to HSM-74 in December 2020, according to the Navy.
“He will continue on in the heart of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group," Kohut said. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
'Exceptional warriors':Navy identifies SEALs declared dead after mission to confiscate Iranian-made weapons
Navy previously identified SEALs declared dead in Red Sea
The two Navy SEALs were declared dead about a week after military officials said they went overboard off the coast of Somalia. They were identified as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27.
Chambers and Ingram both served with a U.S. West Coast-based SEAL team. The two SEALs were on an interdiction mission on Jan. 11 when one of them fell off a ship after high waves hit the vessel, prompting the other SEAL to go after him to attempt a rescue, according to officials.
Search and rescue operations involving ships and aircraft from the United States, Japan, and Spain lasted for 10 days before the Central Command changed it to a recovery operation.
Contributing: Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY
veryGood! (9572)
Related
- Jim Harbaugh wants to hire Colin Kaepernick to Chargers' coaching staff. Will the QB bite?
- Primary ballots give Montana voters a chance to re-think their local government structures
- 16 family members hit by same car, 2 dead, Michigan hit-and-run driver arrested
- Red Lobster files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
- Don't be fooled by the name and packaging: Fruit snacks are rarely good for you. Here's why.
- At least 68 dead in Afghanistan after flash floods caused by unusually heavy seasonal rains
- The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
- Sean Diddy Combs apologizes for alleged attack seen in 2016 surveillance video
- A fiery Texas politician launched a legal assault on Google and Meta. And he's winning.
- UEFA Euro 2024: Dates, teams, schedule and more to know ahead of soccer tournament
Ranking
- The Sunscreen and Moisturizer Duo That Saved My Skin on a Massively Hot European Vacation
- Why Tyra Banks Is Hopeful America's Next Top Model Could Return
- Book It to the Beach With These Page Turning Summer Reads
- WNBA and LSU women's basketball legend Seimone Augustus joins Kim Mulkey's coaching staff
- The State Fair of Texas is banning firearms, drawing threats of legal action from Republican AG
- WNBA and LSU women's basketball legend Seimone Augustus joins Kim Mulkey's coaching staff
- Auburn running back Brian Battie on ventilator after weekend shooting in Florida, coach says
- Supreme Court turns away challenge to Maryland assault weapons ban
Recommendation
-
Conservative are pushing a ‘parental rights’ agenda in Florida school board races. But will it work?
-
'We've been losing for 20 years': Timberwolves finally shedding history of futility
-
The government wants to buy their flood-prone homes. But these Texans aren’t moving.
-
4 killed in Georgia wreck after van plows through median into oncoming traffic
-
Walmart boosts its outlook for 2024 with bargains proving a powerful lure for the inflation weary
-
The Rom-Com Decor Trend Will Have You Falling in Love With Your Home All Over Again
-
Juneteenth proclaimed state holiday again in Alabama, after bill to make it permanent falters
-
EPA warns of increasing cyberattacks on water systems, urges utilities to take immediate steps