A Sailor aboard the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) was reported missing April 9 as the ship was conducting routine training operations in support of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
The Sailor was identified as missing at approximately 4:20 p.m. and the ship immediately launched a search and rescue operation.
Several Navy and Coast Guard units are assisting in the effort. Carter Hall, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Stout (DDG 55) as well as aircraft from the Navy and Coast Guard are supporting the search in a more than 4,500-square-mile-area.
"We are continuing to search tirelessly with every asset at our disposal. Our thoughts and prayers are with our shipmate and the family during this trying time," said Rear Adm. Cynthia Thebaud, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
The name of the Sailor is being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification has taken place