OAN Staff James Myers
3:37 PM – Friday, October 11, 2024
An investigation into the deaths of two Navy SEALs who drowned during a mission to seize Iranian missile parts for Yemen's Houthi rebels has found the deaths could have been prevented.
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A report from an outside investigator confirms the deaths of Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Naval Special Warfare Operator 1.cent SEAL Team 3's Nathan Gage blamed the crash on “a lack of fail-safes and defenses in depth to provide buoyancy.”
“There is no question that the act of boarding a vessel suspected of smuggling is dangerous, and the risks can be heightened depending on mission factors,” wrote Rear Admiral Michael DeVore. “However, deficiencies, gaps, and inconsistencies in doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures may have resulted in missed opportunities for safeguards and reduced the likelihood of this incident occurring.”
In a memo to Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Adm. Michael Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, agreed with the findings and said the incident “characterized by systemic problems was preventable.”
“Multiple protections against personal liability and properly maintained and functioning equipment, processes and procedures protect against such risks,” he wrote.
Additionally, NAVCENT, the Middle East region's central navy, and Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) agreed with the findings.
This comes after a SEAL went missing on January 11th.thwhen the United States conducted a mission targeting Iranian ships loaded with Iranian missile parts and other weapons for the Houthis in Yemen.
According to Associated PressChambers slipped and fell during a night boarding mission, and Ingram jumped in to save him. They were climbing onto an Iranian ship, a dhow, from a US combat ship, but rough sea conditions caused the Iranian dhow to roll.
The report further states that both sailors were overloaded by heavy equipment and sank into the sea within 47 seconds.
DeBoer also ruled out certain factors, including time of day, weather and anonymous reports that alcohol was consumed on board the U.S. operational vessel.
The search was finally called off on January 22nd.n.d.said rescue teams were unable to find the missing sailors.
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