The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) declared the two Marines who disappeared off the coast of Somalia dead this Sunday, after ten days of intensive search efforts. The Marines were carrying out a boarding mission on January 11 to prevent Iranian weapons from getting into the hands of Houthi terrorists in Yemen:
We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported missing during the boarding of an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons Jan. 11 concluded and we are now conducting recovery operations.
The accident, the Central Command revealed, occurred when one of them tried to board the boat but fell into the water after being knocked over by strong waves. His partner, complying with protocol, jumped in after him and was also lost at sea. The identity of any of the marines was not released "out of respect for their families," according to several officials.
General Michael Erik Kurilla stated in a press release that the entire Marine Corps mourned the passing of the two Navy SEALs: "We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the US Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time."
International collaboration in the search for the Marines
In addition, he explained, the Marines' search was carried out with the help of personnel from Japan and Spain. On behalf of the United States, officials from the Fleet Oceanography and Numerical Meteorology Center, the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, the University of California, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego and the Oceanographic Support Wing of The Central Investigation Bureau assisted in the rescue mission.
They all searched approximately 21,000 surface miles before declaring the two Marines dead. Their mission is not yet over. According to CENTCOM, both U.S. officials and personnel from Japan and Spain will continue with the mission which, this time, will focus on recovering the bodies of the two Navy SEALS.
Identification of the two deceased Navy SEALS
A day after U.S. Central Command declared the two soldiers who went missing off the coast of Somalia dead, CENTCOM revealed the identities of those Marines: Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27.
Capt. Blake L. Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1 was the one who revealed the identities of the two Marines. He did so in a statement reported by the Daily Wire in which, once again, he sent his condolences to the families and friends of his two deceased comrades:
We extend our condolences to Chris and Gage’s family, friends, and teammates during this incredibly challenging time. They were exceptional warriors and cherished teammates and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community. Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities. This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation.
