NORFOLK, Va. — Correction: This story previously stated the sailor was based in Norfolk, however, he was part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG based in Norfolk. The sailor himself was based out of Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
On Saturday, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the death of one Florida-based sailor who was deployed with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which is homeported in Norfolk.
Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Oriola Michael Aregbesola, 34, died on March 20 of non-combat-related injuries. The Defense Department reports that Aregbesola was lost overboard while his squadron operated in the Red Sea.
“No matter the circumstances, it is a tragedy when a servicemember loses their life. I am thinking of the family and friends of Petty Officer Oriola Michael Aregbesola. Petty Officer Aregbesola’s service to our country will not be forgotten,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said in an emailed statement.
"My thoughts are with Michael Aregbesola’s family and loved ones and the entire USS Mason community following this heartbreaking news," added Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) in his own statement. "The safety of our servicemembers must always be our top priority, and I will be monitoring the investigation to better understand what occurred."
According to the DoD, Aregbesola was assigned to USS Mason (DDG 87) out of Naval Station Mayport, which has been deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since November, as a part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.
Aregbesola was assigned to the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM)74 in December 2020 after joining the Navy in July of that year.
The 34-year-old sailor was from Miramar, Florida, according to DOD who released the following statement Saturday from Cmdr. Eric Kohut, HSM-74 commanding officer: "Petty Officer Aregbesola fully embodied the selfless character and thoughtful warrior spirit of the United States Navy Sailor. 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."
This incident remains under investigation.