The 10-day search to rescue two Navy SEALs lost in the Arabian Sea during a mission to board a ship and confiscate Iranian-made weapons has come to an end, and the sailors are now considered deceased, as announced by the U.S. military on Sunday.
U.S. Central Command released a statement stating that the search has transitioned into a recovery effort. The names of the SEALs have not been disclosed as family notifications are ongoing.
Ships and aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and Spain conducted continuous searches covering more than 21,000 square miles, with support from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, University of San Diego – Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and the Office of Naval Research.
The January 11 raid targeted an unflagged ship transporting illicit Iranian-made weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen.
During the operation, as the team was boarding the ship, one SEAL went under in heavy seas, and a teammate attempted to rescue him, Yahoo News reported.
The commandos launched from the USS Lewis B. Puller, a mobile sea base, with support from drones and helicopters.
They utilized small special operations combat craft operated by naval special warfare crews to reach the targeted boat.
In the course of the raid, a variety of Iranian-made weaponry was seized, including components for cruise and ballistic missiles such as propulsion and guidance devices, warheads, and air defense parts, according to Central Command.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 