Search ongoing for missing USS Lake Erie sailor

The US Navy is searching for a sailor who was reported missing from guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The ship conducted man overboard procedures after the sailor failed to report for duty at approximately 7 a.m. local time, Aug. 19.

The cruiser was operating in the eastern Pacific Ocean with the John C. Stennis carrier strike group (JCS CSG) at the time.

Attempts to locate the sailor aboard the ship were unsuccessful, the US Navy said adding that the crew of Lake Erie completed multiple extensive searches of the ship.

Ships and helicopters assigned to the JCS CSG and US Coast Guard District 11 are currently conducting search and rescue operations.

The US Navy said it has notified the sailor’s next of kin.

The USS Lake Erie sailor was reported missing just two days after a marine from USS Essex was declared deceased after presumably falling overboard during operations in the Mindanao Sea.