Manila – Sailor from
the destroyer Stethem is missing in the disputed South China Sea which was approximately
140 miles west of Subic Bay in the Philippines and was confirmed on Tuesday,
triggering a search-and-rescue operation inside the contested waters.
The sailor was
reported missing at 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday, August 1. The helicopter
carrier Izumo and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami were
helping in search-and-rescue efforts early Wednesday morning local time, U.S.
Pacific Fleet said.
On July, the Stethem has
sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, which is claimed by China,
Vietnam and Taiwan as part of ongoing territorial disputes in the South China
Sea.
Last month, another
Sailor on the cruiser USS Shiloh was also reporting missing and US Navy was
carrying out a major search-and-rescue operation in the pacific for second
time. The missing sailor has just found hiding in the ship’s engine room. The sailor, Petty Officer 3rd
Class Peter Mims, was later charged with dereliction of duty.
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