U.S. Searching for Overboard Sailor

AP | Wednesday, November 7, 2001

[JohnHuang2]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A search was under way Wednesday night for a U.S. sailor who fell overboard from an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea.

The sailor fell from the USS Kitty Hawk at 7:22 a.m. EST and a search and rescue operation was begun immediately, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Don Sewell, a Pentagon said. Repeated helicopter searches and several dives found no sign of the sailor.

``We don't know how long the search is going to continue at this point,'' Sewell said late Wednesday night. ``But we are still proceeding as though the sailor is alive.''

It was not known how the sailor fell overboard, Sewell said.

The Kitty Hawk is supporting the U.S. effort in Afghanistan.

The sailor was not identified because his family had not yet been notified.

The USS Kitty Hawk is part of a three ship battle group being used as a helicopter base for special operations troops.

Before Wednesday, three American servicemen had been reported killed since the U.S.-led airstrikes against the Taliban and terrorist groups in Afghanistan began on Oct. 7.

Two Army Rangers were killed when their Black Hawk crashed in Pakistan on Oct. 19 during support for a special forces raid in Afghanistan — the first combat-related deaths in the campaign. Military officials have not released details of the Black Hawk's mission, but some believed it was preparing to cross into Afghanistan in the event any Army Rangers had to be rescued.

Master Sgt. Evander Earl Andrews was killed Oct. 10 in a heavy equipment accident Qatar.

[quietolong]

Could have been a don't ask don't tell guy ??????

[xclusiv1]

God Bless our Shipmate!

[Hillary 666]

I think that the story that I related in post #40 is what you are describing. I was going on memory, so I got some stuff wrong. Thanks!

[whoever]

By the way, I would like to welcome you to FreeRepublic.

I notice that you joined yesterday.

[JohnHuang2]

The man upstairs was looking out for that Marine. I hope the same is true for the sailor that went overboard.

Well said.

[Ordie 1]

Just thought I would prime my flame thrower, its funny how so many people say hollow forces and cuts so deep that we can't do our jobs. My question to you is how long did you serve in the military? What dangerous job did you perform for GOD AND COUNTRY? I'm on my 4th tour in the NAVY. A Chief AVIATION ORDNANCEMAN and let me tell you. On a ship at any time bad things can and will happen. So before you start with the hollow force Bull sh#t I have just one question?? What have you done for your country today!!! God be with our shipmate. AMEN

[cva66snipe]

Don't know if this is the same story you are thinking of or not, but in '95 or '96 there was a Marine L/Cpl who fell overboard at night from an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea and was rescued by some Pakistani fishermen around 36 hours later. Although this link doesn't identify the Marine by name it describes his story. I'll have to dig out my archived copies of Leatherneck to find the story. Dateline did a story about him as well. Hope is slim, but if the sailor survives the fall and keeps his/her head, there is indeed a chance.

He fell from a sponson onboard the USS America CV-66. The story has been questioned by some who were onboard at that time. It is said a hatch opened and knocked him overboard. I kind of question that one myself. But reserve judgement because I wasn't there. It was discussed sometime back in our ships website forum. Next to fire or collision Man Overboard is a ships most serious station order. Seconds count and life hangs in the balance. A carrier doesn't stop on a dime either.

I was stationed onboard the America in the 70's and we did a trip to St. Thomas. The first night out from St. Thomas headed back Man Overboard was called and flightdeck gear recovered from a missing AirDale that didn't muster but was shown to be on board at sailing.

Turns out this clown had a buddy throw his gear overboard and he had caught a flight that afternoon from ST. Thomas to home. When the man came to give his mom his SGLI benifits she said he's right here. Last I heard he won a free trip to Kansas. When carriers deploy sailors die. You may not read about it unless it was a plane crash but usually you can expect about 6 souls to perish each 6 month deployment.

[cva66snipe]

I'll probably be flamed for this one, but come on, the military of the United States is a shell of what it once was, thanks to not only the neglect of the Clinton years, but also years of feminization and affirmative action. We shouldn't be surprised that sailors are falling off ships and that 'copters are crashing.

Guess what? I'm a carrier vet from the 1970's. I saw sailors die then too. I saw planes crash. I saw fires. You have a ship with 4500-5000 persons dealing with nice dangerous things from JP-5 to Liquid Oxygen. The least worry was the weapons. You want to see a real Navy disaster? Join up and watch the USS Forestall training film. That one you'll never forget as long as you live. Then pray it never happens on your watch. In short this has nothing to do with your reasons. It is what happens in day to day life on board about any ship.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Prayers

[tbeatty]

It could be a suicide. My cousin served on board the Kitty Hawk and there were 1-2 suicides per cruise. It's not common and isn't generally reported but these are not normal times. Depression at sea can be very difficult to deal with especially during a war deployment.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Consider yourself flamed! I understand that it's a rare thing for a carrier to be deployed, even in peace time, without loss of life. Working on the flight deck of a carrier is very hazardous duty at any time. But it's a necessary and noble job. Bless those who volunteer to do it.

[Ordie 1]

A graduate Student?? Let me guess you'd be the first to hate to see a draft reinstated. I'm going to explain something to you and I hope your paying attention. I have minority 18-24 year old sailors that work for me and you want to talk quality, your damn right the job they do is always quality. I work with high school grads that have a pilots lives in their hands, so don't talk to me about quality!! Go back to your books because you'll turn out to be one of those guys who complain every time the military gets a pay raise. Let me tell you something I learned in boot camp. Theres only two colors in the navy BLUE AND GOLD. I sure hope the military is not in your future because I'd have to give you some good ole' fashion fantail training.. By the way this was a personal attack

[cva66snipe]

Beyond that, isn't the military about 40% minority by now? I admit I'm not there to see that for myself, but that must cut into quality. It's what I hear, so I guess I can ask you now if it's true. And how many of your fellow "servicemen" are there for the handouts (e.g. college money, or inability to get a private sector job)?

All things considered that has been more or less the race ratio in the military since WW2 now what is your point? Handouts? I think it's a disgrace that the origional GI Bill is not law. I didn't pay a cent toward my post service education. Nor do I consider it a handout. You don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. By the way taxpayers likely help pay for your education is that a handout?

[cva66snipe]

I'd have to give you some good ole' fashion fantail training..

We prefered graphite grease and a rope for these type of problems.

[Ordie 1]

From your last post to the people of washington, your starting to show your true life training in college. I forgot to add something earlier. Not everyone is raised in a house that can pay the cost for college. The difference between you and them is that they pay a price for college giving up everything they know for a college fund they earn it!! I'm sure you just milked the money from grants and loans from that goverment you were talking so bad about. Freedom has a taste that the protected will never know!!!

[Ordie 1]

I think he couldn't cope with some, should I say it HAZING not that I allow it to happen in my division!:)