The US Navy has identified the service member who went missing after an emergency landing of a helicopter in the Arabian Sea on July 1, an incident that triggered a massive search operation that lasted several days.

Rescue teams managed to recover 3 of the crew members shortly after the emergency landing, while the helicopter pilot, Gabriel Edwards, remained missing, prompting the Navy to launch an intensive search operation involving ships and aircraft, covering an area estimated at about 14,000 square miles, according to The Washington Post.

After more than 102 hours of continuous search operations, the Navy announced on Sunday that it had ended the mission without finding Edwards.

Edwards commanded the fifth squadron of naval combat helicopters and was a father of two.

His wife, Rebecca Edwards, said in a statement released by the Navy: "We find comfort in that Gab lived a meaningful life, devoted to serving his country and his squadron, and above all to his family whom he loved with all his heart," expressing gratitude to everyone who participated in the search and rescue operations.

Following the incident, the acting US Secretary of the Navy, Hong Cao, announced Edwards' posthumous promotion to the rank of captain.

The Navy confirmed there were no indications the helicopter was under enemy fire, but it did not disclose the nature of the mission the crew was conducting, noting that the investigation into the cause of the emergency landing is ongoing.

Edwards served in the US Navy for 20 years, and his squadron operated on board the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, which participated in supporting US military operations during the war with Iran.

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