U.S. Identifies Two Navy SEALs Lost At Sea
The United States Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Command has identified two Navy SEALs lost at sea after a January 11 boarding of a dhow carrying Iranian missile components, following the end of a 10-day search for them yielded no results.
NSWC identified the two SEALs as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27.
“We extend our condolences to Chris and Gage’s families, friends, and teammates during this incredibly challenging time. They were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community,” said Capt. Blake L. Chaney, commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 1.
The identities of the missing SEALs were disclosed a day after Central Command and Special Operations Command declared them deceased, after airborne and naval platforms from the U.S., Japan, and Spain continuously searched more than 21,000 square miles to locate the missing SEALs over 10 days with no result. Search assistance was also provided by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, University of San Diego – Scripts Institute of Oceanography, and the Office of Naval Research – Oceanographic Support.
“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 U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.
The two SEALs went missing during a nighttime boarding of a stateless dhow in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia’s coast. The dhow was found to be smuggling Iranian-made propulsion, guidance, and warhead components for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as components for Houthi air defense systems.
According to Central Command, the components seized were the first seizures of lethal, Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons being delivered to the Houthis since the beginning of Houthi attacks against merchant ships in November 2023. The boarding, which was launched from the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) Expeditionary Sea Base with unmanned aerial vehicle and helicopter support, is also the first seizure of advanced Iranian-manufactured ballistic missile and cruise missile components by the Navy since November 2019.
The 14 crew members of the dhow have been detained, with the Navy sinking the dhow after deeming it unsafe.