Missing Sailor Who Vanished from USS George Washington Identified by U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy has identified the sailor who went missing during a training exercise aboard the USS George Washington in the ocean north of Australia.

On Wednesday, July 30, Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, spokesperson for the George Washington, confirmed via email to PEOPLE that the search for the missing sailor had been suspended, stating it was done “with a heavy heart.”

The Navy had earlier announced they were responding to reports of a “possible sailor overboard” in the Timor Sea, according to a release issued July 28.

The sailor has now been identified as Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV. His name was released in an official statement obtained by PEOPLE.

The USS George Washington was conducting operations in the Timor Sea as part of Talisman Sabre 25, a large multinational military exercise co-hosted by Australia and the United States, according to USNI News.

The statement noted that after more than 45 hours of continuous search and rescue operations—covering approximately 2,200 square miles—the U.S. Navy, alongside the Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Forces, officially suspended the search on July 30.

Rivera Lynch enlisted in the Navy in June 2024 and reported to the George Washington in January 2025, the Navy shared.

Captain Tim Waits, commanding officer of the George Washington, expressed condolences: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch.”

“I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force,” he added.

Rear Admiral Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, echoed those sentiments: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Airman Rivera Lynch’s family, friends, and shipmates during this incredibly difficult time.”

“The courage and dedication shown by all personnel involved in this operation exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that defines our Navy,” he said in the same release.

The search operation included extensive coordination involving U.S. Navy assets such as Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons (HSM) 77 and 51, the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86). Fixed-wing aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, two P-8 Poseidon aircraft, an Australian Defence patrol boat (ADV Cape Otway), and a Dash-8 aircraft operated by Australian Border Force also took part in the effort.

The George Washington was on its first operational patrol since its return to Japan in November 2024, per USNI News.

The Australian Defence Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment.