The US Navy has revealed the identity of the serviceman 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 lasting several days.

Rescue teams managed to recover 3 crew members shortly after the emergency landing, while the helicopter commander, 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 the mission had ended 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 published by the Navy: “We find comfort in that Gab lived a meaningful life, dedicated to serving his country and his squadron, and above all to his family whom he loved with all his heart,” expressing gratitude to all those who participated in the search and rescue operations.

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

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

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

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