PHILIPPINE SEA – U.S. Navy officials on Saturday released the identities of the three sailors that were lost at sea after a plane crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa Wednesday afternoon. One of the sailors had a previous assignment at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Lt. Steven Combs, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso were lost in the crash. It was the latest of a string of troubling incidents facing the Navy in waters off East Asia this year.
The C2-A Greyhound transport plane was carrying 11 crew and passengers to an aircraft carrier when it crashed into the Philippine Sea around 2:45 p.m. Japan Standard Time, the Navy said.
Eight people have been rescued and are in good condition aboard the carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy said in a statement. U.S. and Japanese ships and planes are searching the area for the three people who remain missing.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Navy stopped the search and rescue mission to find Combs, Chialastri and Grosso.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our lost shipmates and their families," Rear Adm. Marc Dalton said. "As difficult as this is, we are thankful for the rapid and effective response that led to the rescue of eight of our shipmates, and I appreciate the professionalism and dedication shown by all who participated in the search efforts."
Chialastri, a Louisiana native, was assigned to the USS Ronald Regan. His previous duty assignments included time with the VP-30 “Pro’s Nest” Squadron, at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Grosso, of Florida, was also assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan. His previous duty stations include the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola and the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Combs, of Florida, was assigned to the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and embarked aboard Ronald Reagan as part of Carrier Air Wing Five. His previous duty assignments include the “Greyhawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120, the Center for Security Forces Detachment Kittery Point in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Training Wing 4 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Earlier this year, eight navy officers were removed from their posts following the after the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in August and the USS Fitzgerald colliding with a container ship near Japan.
News4Jax spoke with Travis Arnold who’s father served over 20 years in the Navy in Jacksonville get news like this.
An investigation into the crash is in progress.