USS George Washington suspends search for missing sailor off North Australian coast

After two days of scanning the open water for one of their own, the US Navy has given a sad update.

The USS George Washington has called off a search for a US sailor, who is believed to have gone overboard.

Update - July 31: The US Navy has stopped its search for a missing sailor in the Timor Sea.

After two days of scanning the open water, the service released a statement on Thursday morning confirming they had paused the search.

“The U.S. Navy suspended the active search for a sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington,” the statement read.

The carrier had been looking for the missing crew member after it was determined a ‘man overboard’ situation may have occurred on July 29.

Joining the desperate search effort was a Royal Australian Navy patrol boat and a P8-A Poseidon aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force.

The call-off marks a sad end to USS George Washington’s visit to Northern Australia.

The carrier strike group had been lingering off the Top End as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Man overboard: US sailor missing in Timor Sea

4pm, July 30: The US Navy has confirmed one of its sailors has gone missing in the Timor Sea, with a desperate search now underway.

In a statement, the US Navy revealed a possible ‘man overboard’ situation had occurred on Monday afternoon, with aircraft carrier USS George Washington being the vessel in-question.

The carrier has been operating off the northern Australian coastline as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Now, USS George Washington and its carrier strike group has paused training to search the vast area, with Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force assets also supporting the rescue effort.

“Australian Defence Force-owned and Australian Border Force contracted assets are supporting the search,” an ADF spokesman said.

“Including Royal Australian Air Force P8-A Poseidon aircraft and Royal Australian Navy Cape Class Patrol Boat ADV Cape Otway.”

The US Navy has not disclosed the rank or role of the missing person.

The incident comes as Exercise Talisman Sabre enters its final days, which is due to wrap up on August 4.

Originally published as USS George Washington suspends search for missing sailor off North Australian coast