Navy Identifies Five Sailors Killed In Helicopter Crash Off San Diego Coast

San Diego CA

06 September, 2021

2:57 PM

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By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego September 6, 2021 The five crew members killed in an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crash. Courtesy U.S. NavyThe U.S. Navy Sunday identified the five crew members who were killed when an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of San Diego last week. They are: Lt. Bradley A. Foster, 29, a pilot from Oakhurst, California. Lt. Bradley A. Foster. Courtesy U.S. NavyLt. Paul R. Fridley, 28, a pilot from Annandale, Virginia. Lt. Paul R. Fridley. Courtesy U.S. NavyNaval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31, from Salem, Virginia. Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak. Courtesy U.S. NavyHospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah F. Burns, 31, from Severna Park, Maryland. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah F. Burns. Courtesy U.S. NavyHospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21, from St. Louis, Missouri. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker. Courtesy U.S. NavyThe U.S. 3rd Fleet on Saturday shifted from search and rescue operations to a recovery operation. One sailor aboard the helicopter was pulled from the ocean after the aircraft went down Tuesday, roughly 60 nautical miles from shore. The crash occurred as its six-member crew was engaging in routine flight operations off the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is homeported in San Diego. The rescued sailor and two others who were injured aboard the carrier were taken ashore for medical care and listed in stable condition. Another three personnel on the ship suffered minor injuries and remained aboard, officials said. A military investigation is underway into what caused the crash of the aircraft, which was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 at Naval Air Station North Island. Navy officials said only that it "was operating on deck before crashing into the sea." Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.