U.S. Navy wrapped up search Sunday for crew member missing after MH-60S Sea Hawk chopper made emergency water landing in Arabian Sea July 1 . Incident marks 14th American service member death linked to Iran conflict,reports say .
The helicopter was on routine patrol with USS George H.W. Bush when trouble struck,forcing it into sea. Five were on board; three rescued fast,back on carrier stable. Fourth found,but fifth still missing.
Search spanned 100+ hours, covering 14,000 square miles. U.S. 5th Fleet said effort was extensive,coordinated across U.S. Central Command area . But search ended without success.
Officials confirmed hostile fire not involved in crash, but exact cause still under investigation . Missing sailor's identity not released as family notification ongoing.
Since March,conflict toll with Iran has climbed. Earlier, six service members killed in Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Shuaiba port on March 1. A week later,another died after attack on Prince Sultan Air Base,Saudi Arabia. And March 12,mid-air collision involving two Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker planes in western Iraq killed six. These incidents brought total fatalities to 13 before latest loss.
Over 400 service members injured in ongoing conflict,U.S. Central Command reports. Military's continued regional presence raises questions about operational strategies,implications…
