Navy and Coast Guard servicemen from the United States and Japan on June 11 called off their search for a missing sailor from U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67).
The sailor was reported missing and assumed overboard June 8 at about 9:30 p.m. while Shiloh was conducting routine operations 180 miles east of Okinawa, Japan.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, and the crew of the USS Shiloh during this difficult time,” said Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin , commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “I’m proud of the effort the crews of the Reagan Strike Group and our Japanese allies made to find our shipmate.”
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from USS Shiloh, USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), as well as a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, conducted airborne searches while Shiloh, McCampbell, Reagan, USS Barry (DDG 52), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Ship Ashigara (DDG 178) and Japanese Coast Guard Ships Kudaka and Ryuku participated in the surface search. The Joint Personnel Recovery Center Hawaii and U.S. Coast Guard District 11 provided additional distance support.
The U.S. Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard team spent over 50 hours in a comprehensive search that covered roughly 5,500 square miles.
“The decision to suspend the search was not arrived at lightly. Our thoughts are with our lost shipmate, his family, and the officers and crew of USS Shiloh,” said Rear Adm. Charles Williams, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70. “I am thankful for the dedication and professionalism shown during this search by the U.S. Navy and our Japanese allies.”
An investigation is currently underway and the U.S. Navy said the family is requesting privacy at this time.