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NEED TO KNOW
- A search is underway for a U.S. Navy Sailor who possibly went overboard while on an aircraft carrier in the Timor Sea
- The sailor, who has not been identified by name or rank, was reported missing on July 28
- They were participating in the Talisman Sabre 25 exercise, a military training exercise organized by Australia and the United States
Search and rescue efforts are underway for a United States Navy sailor amid concerns that they might have gone overboard while on an aircraft carrier sailing north of Australia.
On Monday, July 28, authorities responded to reports of “a possible sailor overboard” the USS George Washington in the Timor Sea, the U.S. Navy stated in a news release.
“The USS George Washington (CVN 73) and units assigned to Carrier Strike Group 5 are conducting search and rescue efforts in the Timor Sea, July 28, after one of the ship’s Sailors was reported missing,” U.S. Navy Senior Chief Brock Taylor said. “The ship initiated search and rescue procedures after receiving reports of a possible sailor overboard.”
The sailor’s identity, including their name and rank, has not been shared publicly at this time.
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The Asahi Shimbun via Getty
The Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force are assisting the U.S. Navy in the search and rescue efforts.
The Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and Royal Australian Navy Cape Class Patrol Boat ADV Cape Otway are also supporting the search, a spokesperson for the Australian Department of Defence told the U.K. outlet The Guardian.
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The George Washington was carrying out its first patrol since returning to Japan in November 2024, USNI News reported.
The aircraft carrier is operating in the Timor Sea as part of the Talisman Sabre 25 exercise, a military training exercise organized by Australia and the U.S., which involves 19 countries and more than 40,000 military personnel.
PEOPLE has reached out to the U.S. Navy for comment.
