The U.S. Navy has ended search and rescue operations for the three sailors still missing following a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, the 7th fleet announced.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost shipmates and their families. As difficult as this is, we are thankful for the rapid and effective response that led to the rescue of eight of our shipmates, and I appreciate the professionalism and dedication shown by all who participated in the search efforts.” said Rear Admiral Marc Dalton, The Hill reports.
Soon after the incident took place on Wednesday, eight sailors were rescued in “good condition” in the Pacific Ocean, after their transporter plane went down while en route to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
The names of the three sailors are being withheld “pending completion of next of kin notifications,” the Navy noted. On Monday the Navy announced that it was implementing new sleep guidelines for its Pacific fleet in the hope of preventing further accidents, The Hill adds.
The crash is the fifth in a string of accidents involving the 7th Fleet since January. The accidents include two deadly collisions involving guided missile destroyers that left 17 U.S. sailors dead. Due to these developments, the head of the 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, was relieved of duty in August.
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