The Navy has identified the three sailors lost in a C-2A Greyhound crash on Wednesday.
The sailors killed in the crash are Lt. Steven Combs, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso.
The C-2A Greyhound, with 11 crew and passengers on board, crashed while heading for USS Ronald Reagan on Nov. 22 in the Philippine Sea. Eight of those aboard were rescued at the site.
The two-day search for the three sailors covered nearly 1,000 square nautical miles, according to a Navy release, and included both U.S. and Japanese forces.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these Sailors,” Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet, said in the release. “Their service and sacrifice will be lasting in Seventh Fleet and we will continue to stand the watch for them, as they did bravely for all of us.”
Combs, a native of Florida, was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 and embarked aboard USS Ronald Reagan as part of Carrier Air Wing Five.
His previous duty assignments include the “Greyhawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120, the Center for Security Forces Detachment Kittery Point, in Portsmouth, N.H., and Training Wing 4, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
His awards include the National Defense Ribbon and the Navy Battle “E” Ribbon.
Chialastri, a native of Louisiana, was assigned to Ronald Reagan. His previous duty stations include USS America (LHA 6), Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30), the “Pro’s Nest,” in Jacksonville, Fla., and the Center for Security Forces Detachment Kittery Point, in Portsmouth, N.H.
His awards include the National Defense Ribbon.
Grosso, a native of Florida, was assigned to Ronald Reagan. His previous duty stations include the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Fla., and the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill.
His awards include the National Defense Ribbon.
