Last Updated on September 5, 2021 by CCAR Staff
Five sailors now presumed dead following more than 72 hours of searching the Pacific Ocean after their helicopter lost control aboard a Navy aircraft carrier off San Diego have been identified.
The sailors and their MH-60S helicopter went overboard the USS Abraham Lincoln around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. A sixth sailor was rescued around 10 p.m. that night and was reported in stable condition at a San Diego hospital.
The Navy on Sunday released the names of those who are still missing and now believed to have died: Lt. Bradley A. Foster, 29, a pilot from Oakhurst; Lt. Paul R. Fridley, 28, a pilot from Annandale, Va; Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31, from Salem, Va; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah F. Burns, 31, from Severna Park, Md.; and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21, from St. Louis, Mo.
All five came from the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 based on North Island, San Diego.
“We have transitioned from rescue efforts to recovery operations,” Navy Lt. Sam Boyle said on Saturday. “We’ll make every possible effort to locate the helicopter wreckage.”
Five sailors aboard the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln were also injured in the crash on the ship’s deck. Two of the sailors were taken to facilities in San Diego, three others were treated aboard the ship.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was about 60 miles off the San Diego coast at the time of the crash, preparing for deployment next year.
Foster was commissioned into the Navy on Nov. 25, 2015, he joined the squadron on Jan. 16, 2019. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Fridley was commissioned on May 22, 2015, and joined the squadron on Nov. 19, 2018. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Buriak enlisted into the Navy on Jan. 24, 2017. He joined the squadron on Nov. 1, 2018. His awards included Enlisted Naval Aircrew Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon,Armed Forces Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Burns enlisted on Aug. 21, 2010. She joined the squadron on Nov. 13, 2020. Her awards include the Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship.
Tucker enlisted on Dec. 3, 2019. He joined the squadron on June 24.
An investigation continues into what caused the helicopter to crash, officials with the Navy’s Third Fleet said.
The MH-60S is a versatile aircraft that typically carries a crew of four and is used in missions including combat support, humanitarian disaster relief and search and rescue.
