Navy suspends search for missing aircrewman in Arabian Sea

Helicopter went down during routine patrol; no hostile fire suspected

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced the suspension Sunday in a statement on social media, saying the efforts concluded after an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The missing crewman’s name is being withheld until at least 24 hours after next-of-kin notification is complete, in accordance with Navy policy, officials said.

The MH-60S Sea Hawk was on a routine patrol when it went down Wednesday at about 3:30 a.m. EDT. U.S. officials said the crash landing was not the result of hostile fire.

The search involved U.S. Navy helicopters, multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft, aircraft carriers, and guided-missile ships canvassing more than 14,000 square miles, according to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.