The Navy has called off search and rescue operations in the North Arabian Sea for a sailor missing from the aircraft carrier Nimitz, according to the U.S. 5th Fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Navy had been conducting a search for Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Ian McKnight since Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are deeply saddened as we call off the search for IT2 Ian McKnight,\u201d Capt. Max Clark, commanding officer of the Nimitz, said in a statement. \u201cWe hold his family and friends in our hearts during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sunday, the Navy said<\/a> the Nimitz and guided-missile cruiser Princeton were conducting search and rescue operations to locate the sailor, who the Navy had listed as \u201cDuty Status Whereabouts Unknown\u201d on the aircraft carrier. After a search of the entire carrier, the Navy said the ship called man overboard at approximately 6:47 p.m. local time on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of Tuesday morning, the service said the Navy along with the Air Force were still searching in the North Arabian Sea for McKnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An investigation into the incident has been initiated, and McKnight is still listed as \u201cDuty Status Whereabouts Unknown.\u201d His next of kin have been notified, the Navy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe strike group team sends our thoughts and prayers to the family of Petty Officer McKnight,\u201d Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, said in a statement Tuesday. \u201cAnd I offer my thanks to all the Sailors and Airmen who were involved in the search for our shipmate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nimitz deployed<\/a> July 8 from San Diego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n