Current:Home > MarketsU.S. identifies Navy SEALs lost during maritime raid on ship with Iranian weapons -WealthCenter
U.S. identifies Navy SEALs lost during maritime raid on ship with Iranian weapons
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:01:38
Two Navy SEALs who went missing at sea on Jan. 11 while on an interdiction mission are considered dead, the U.S. military said Sunday.
The SEALs were reported missing during a mission near the coast of Somalia to board a ship carrying Iranian weapons, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. They were identified Monday as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram.
"They were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community," said Capt. Blake L. Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1.
Ships and aircraft from the U.S., Japan and Spain searched more than 21,000 square miles, CENTCOM said, adding that the search for the missing SEALs has now been changed to a recovery effort.
"Recovery efforts are still continuing as we grieve this profound loss for our country," President Biden said in a statement Monday. "These SEALs represented the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans. Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans. Our entire country stands with you. We will never fail to honor their service, their legacy, and their sacrifice."
Defense officials earlier told CBS News that the missing sailors went overboard while attempting to board the Iranian vessel. The SEALs were climbing up a vessel when one got knocked off by high waves in the Arabian Sea, the Associated Press reported. Under their protocol, when one SEAL is overtaken, the next jumps in after them.
"We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example," CENTCOM's Gen. Michale Erik Kurilla said. "Our prayers are with the SEALs' families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time."
Chambers and Ingram enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and 2019, respectively, officials said. Both men served with West Coast-based SEAL units. Chambers' awards and decorations include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "C," three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and other personal and unit awards. Ingram's awards and decorations include various personal and unit awards.
"Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities," Chaney said. "This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation."
The U.S. military seized "advanced lethal aid" being sent to supply Houthi rebels in Yemen during the Jan. 11 raid, officials said last week. The initial analysis of the weapons found they were the types being used by the Houthis to attack commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The U.S. Navy sank the ship after it was deemed unsafe, Central Command said. The ship's 14 crew were detained.
"This was not related to the strikes in Yemen," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said about the incident on "Face the Nation" last week. "This was normal interdiction operations that we've been conducting for some time to try to disrupt that flow of weapons supplies to Yemen."
The Houthis have vowed to keep attacking ships they deem connected to Israel or Israel's international allies. Houthi rebels, who control swaths of Yemen, justify the missile and drone launches as retaliation for the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Biden administration last week declared Yemen's Houthi rebels to be a "specially designated global terrorist group."
Tucker Reals contributed reporting.
- In:
- Iran
- Red Sea
- Houthi Movement
- Hamas
- Israel
- U.S. Navy
- Middle East
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
TwitterveryGood! (6)
Related
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Prince William Attends Royal Ascot With Kate Middleton's Parents Amid Her Cancer Treatments
- How baseball legend Willie Mays earned the nickname 'The Say Hey Kid'
- Krispy Kreme releases 'Friends'-themed doughnuts, but some American fans aren't happy
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Billy Ray Cyrus’ Estranged Wife Firerose Accuses Him of Domestic Abuse
- Celtics have short to-do list as they look to become 1st repeat NBA champion since 2018
- Kevin Costner Defends Decision to Cast Son Hayes in New Film Horizon: An American Saga
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Machine Gun Kelly Shares Rare Look at Dad Life With Daughter Casie
Ranking
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- AI fever drives Nvidia to world's most valuable company, over Microsoft and Apple
- PGA Tour creates special sponsor exemption for Tiger Woods
- FEMA urged to add extreme heat, wildfire smoke to list of disasters
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- 3-year-old drowns in Kansas pond after he was placed in temporary foster care
- A random woman threw acid in her face; 18 months later, scars fade as impact lingers
- ‘Fancy Dance’ with Lily Gladstone balances heartbreak, humor in story of a missing Indigenous woman
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Kevin Costner Breaks Silence on Jewel Romance Rumors
Eva Longoria Shares How Meryl Streep Confused Costars With Their Cousin Connection
Three-time gold medalist Misty May-Treanor to call beach volleyball at 2024 Paris Olympics
51-year-old Andy Macdonald puts on Tony Hawk-approved Olympic skateboard showing
Republicans block bill to outlaw bump stocks for rifles after Supreme Court lifts Trump-era ban
Jennifer Esposito says 'Harvey Weinstein-esque' producer tried to 'completely end' her career
Man who followed woman into her NYC apartment and stabbed her to death pleads guilty to murder