Missing Sailor Who Vanished from USS George Washington Identified by U.S. Navy: 'Incredibly Difficult Time'

The U.S. Navy has identified a sailor who went missing during a training exercise while onboard the USS George Washington in the ocean north of Australia.

On Thursday, July 31, USS George Washington spokesperson, Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, confirmed in an email to PEOPLE that it was "with a heavy heart" that the search for the sailor had been suspended as of Wednesday, July 30.

It comes after the U.S. Navy announced that they had responded to reports of “a possible sailor overboard” in the Timor Sea, in a Monday, July 28 release.

The missing male has now been identified as Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) Airman Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, per a release posted online and obtained by PEOPLE, alongside a photograph of the sailor.

The aircraft carrier is currently operating in the Timor Sea as part of the multinational Talisman Sabre 25 exercise organized by Australia and the U.S., per USNI News.

"After more than 45 hours of continuous search and rescue efforts covering roughly 2,200 square miles, the U.S. Navy and Australian Defence and Australian Border Forces suspended search efforts in the Timor Sea on July 30," the release shared on Friday, Aug. 1, stated, noting that the search had involved multiple U.S. Navy vessels.

Rivera Lynch had enlisted in the Navy in June of 2024, before reporting to USS George Washington in January, the statement added.

Captain Tim Waits, commanding officer of the USS George Washington, said, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of our shipmate, Airman Rivera Lynch."

“I am sincerely grateful for the support and coordination from all units who assisted in the search effort, including our partners from the Australian Defence Force and Border Force," he added in the release.

Rear Admiral Eric Anduze, commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, shared, “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Airman Rivera Lynch's family, friends, and shipmates during this incredibly difficult time."

“The courage and dedication shown by all personnel involved in this operation exemplifies the professionalism and commitment that defines our Navy," he continued, per the release.

The release confirmed that the search for the missing sailor involved "U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, HSM 51, Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86)."

"Fixed wing aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, two P-8 Poseidon aircraft and patrol boat from the Australian Defence Force, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Otway, and an Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft [also] assisted in the search," the post added.

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The George Washington was carrying out its first patrol since returning to Japan in November 2024, USNI News reported.

The Australian Defence Force didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

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