Navy identifies SEALs declared dead after mission to confiscate Iranian-made weapons
Photo of Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. Ingram is one of the two SEALs who were lost at sea during a raid on a boat carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.
The U.S. Navy on Monday identified the two SEALs lost in the Arabian Sea during a nighttime mission to board and seize an unflagged boat carrying illegal Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.
The U.S. Central Command announced the end of its 10-day “exhaustive” search and rescue operation for the missing SEALs. The operation involved ships and aircraft from the United States, Japan, and Spain continuously searching more than 21,000 square miles.
The search, the Central Command said on Sunday, was changed to a recovery operation and the two sailors were presumed deceased. The two SEALs were on an interdiction mission on January 11 when one of them fell off a ship after high waves hit the vessel, prompting the other SEAL to go after him to attempt a rescue, according to officials.
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The missing SEALs were identified Monday as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, who both served with a U.S. West Coast-based SEAL team.
“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,” Capt. Blake L. Chaney, commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, said in a statement Monday.
“Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities,” Chaney added. “This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation.”
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January 11 mission targeted ‘illicit dhow’
The incident came amid coordinated U.S. and British bombings of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The strikes were in retaliation for weeks of Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which the Houthis have said are a response to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
According to officials, the Jan. 11 raid targeted “an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons” to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Dhows are small sailing vessels often seen in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region and are sometimes used to smuggle weapons.
According to U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, Ingram began climbing the ladder onto the boat when he slipped and fell into the water. Following his instincts and protocol, Chambers dove into the water to try and save Ingram.
The two sailors were weighed down by their body armor, weapons and heavy equipment, and died, the officials told AP.
The Central Command said an array of Iranian-made weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missile components such as propulsion and guidance devices and warheads, as well as air defense parts, were seized during the raid. The mission was the latest seizure by the U.S. Navy and its allies of weapon shipments sent for the rebels.
The Navy then sunk the vessel carrying the weapons after it was deemed unsafe, Central Command said. The ship’s 14 crew were detained.
Who were the 2 Navy SEALs?
Chambers, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012, and graduated from SEAL training in 2014, the Navy said in a statement. Some of his awards and decorations include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “C,” three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medal and Combat Action Ribbon.
Ingram, of Texas, enlisted in 2019, and graduated from SEAL training in 2021, according to the Navy. His awards and decorations include various personal and unit awards.
“Jill and I are mourning the tragic deaths of two of America’s finest—Navy SEALs who were lost at sea while executing a mission off the coast of East Africa last week,” President Joe 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.”
The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet is investigating the incident, which is expected to examine whether the SEALs were properly equipped and trained for the mission; if procedures were followed; and details on the raid, including the weather and the state of the seas.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, Tom Vanden Brook, and Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Navy identifies SEALs declared dead after mission to confiscate Iranian-made weapons