The U.S. Navy has identified two SEALs who went missing at sea off the coast of Somalia and are now presumed dead.
Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, 37, and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, were reported missing after a risky nighttime mission on January 11.
As authorities have officially called off the search and rescue mission, details are emerging about the SEALs final moments.
According to reports, both men, who were apart of U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team 3, were attempting to board an unflagged boat carrying Iranian-made missile parts to Yemen.
While Ingram began climbing the ladder onto the boat, he slipped and fell into the rough waters. Chambers immediately jumped in to rescue him, but a combination of their heavy body armor, equipment, weapons, and the rough seas proved to be a disaster.
Both Chambers and Ingram were lost at sea.
Myrna and I are grieving over the heartbreaking loss of Special Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers from Maryland and Special Operator Second Class Nathan Ingram from Texas. These two Navy SEALs were lost while boarding an illicit ship that was smuggling Iranian weapons. pic.twitter.com/0qJNWAuKwQ
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) January 22, 2024
The military conducted an exhaustive search over 21,000 square miles of ocean, but could not locate the the Navy SEALs. After 10 days, the search was called off and the men were declared deceased.
“We are now conducting recovery operations,” U.S. Central Command said in a press release.
“Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities,” said Capt. Blake Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which oversees SEAL Team 3. “This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation.”
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden also offered their condolences to the families of the deceased Navy SEALs.
“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.”
Thank you for your service. We will never forget you.
