Editors note: An earlier version of this story identified the deceased diver as a sailor based at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Florida. The dive student was an airman undergoing training at NSA Panama City. Additional information can be found here.
The body of a student assigned to the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) was recovered from Saint Andrew Bay Thursday afternoon, according to Naval Support Activity Panama City officials.
The student was participating in a routine surface swim in the bay when he was reported missing around 11:05 a.m., according to a media release. The training area is marked with buoys and maximum depth is 20 feet.
NDSTC, Coast Guard Station Panama City and Bay County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search and recovery efforts.
The name of the student will not be released until after the next of kin has been notified.
The dive student was a member of the Air Force, Navy Cmdr. James Stockman, a spokesman for Naval Education & Training Command told Navy Times.
Per DoD policy, the identity of the student will not be made available until the airman’s next of kin are notified.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family during this difficult time,” Navy officials said in the report.
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
