The U.S. Navy has identified the three sailors who lost their lives when a transport aircraft crashed in the Pacific.
A C-2A Greyhound carrying a crew of 11 plunged into the Philippine Sea Wednesday while traveling from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Eight members of the crew were rescued, but three were lost. The Navy conducted a massive search and rescue operation with regional partners, but the three sailors were not found.
The service members who died in this accident were Lt. Steven Combs, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso, according to a Seventh Fleet press release.
“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,” said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire team onboard Ronald Reagan go out to the families and friends of our fallen shipmates,” Capt. Michael Wosje, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW 5) said, adding, “The entire Navy team is working together to investigate the cause of this mishap and we will remain focused on our mission to operate forward in a safe and professional manner to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”
The latest crash was preceded by two deadly collisions at sea. An oil tanker collided with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain in late August, killing 10 sailors. Two months prior, a container ship crashed into the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, ending the lives of seven American service members. Numerous 7th Fleet officers were relieved in the wake of these incidents.
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