Search concludes for missing sailor in eastern Pacific Ocean

SAN DIEGO - The search and rescue mission for a sailor assigned to the USS Lake Erie who failed to report for morning duty has concluded after four days, the Navy announced today.

The crew on the USS Lake Erie, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser homeported in San Diego, performed man-overboard procedures after the sailor failed to report at 7 a.m. Sunday. The ship was conducting routine training operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group.

Seven U.S. Navy ships along with multiple Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol aircraft searched more than 16,550 square nautical miles of open water, but the Navy and Coast Guard suspended the search around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The ship's crew also completed multiple thorough searches of the ship for the sailor, whose name has not been released.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor's family during this difficult time,'' said Capt. Christine O'Connell, commanding officer of USS Lake Erie. "Losing a shipmate is devastating and felt by our entire crew. We will continue to support the family in any way we can.''

Navy officials reported the sailor's next of kin have been notified.