Sailor dies after being lost overboard while operating in the Red Sea

Kenzie Finch
·1 min read
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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The Department of Defense announced on March 23 that a Sailor was lost overboard from the USS Mason, and has died.

Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, 34, died March 20 as a result of a non-combat related incident, officials said. The incident is under investigation.

Aregbesola, who is from Florida, joined the Navy in 2020, and reported to HSM-74 in December 2020.

“Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor,” said Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer. “His outstanding performance prior to and during deployment went well beyond aircraft maintenance; he truly saw and valued every member of the ship/air team. He will continue on in the heart of every Swamp Fox and our brothers and sisters in the IKE Carrier Strike Group. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Aregbesola was assigned to USS Mason deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group. The flagship Dwight D. Eisenhower is homeported in Norfolk.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) departed its homeport at Naval Station Mayport, in Mayport, Florida, for a scheduled deployment on Oct. 13.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

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