A newly released investigation has concluded that the drowning deaths of two Navy SEALs during a mission in the Middle East were avoidable. Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram lost their lives in January while attempting to seize Iranian missile parts headed for Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The report found that the deaths were caused by the lack of proper safety measures. Rear Adm. Michael DeVore, who led the investigation, stated that the SEALs lacked adequate failsafe systems and buoyancy protection during the mission, which could have saved their lives. He cited “deficiencies, gaps, and inconsistencies” in the mission’s planning and execution.
The two SEALs went missing on January 11 while boarding an Iranian vessel from a U.S. combat ship. The ship was suspected of carrying weapons to Yemen’s Houthi forces. Chambers fell into the water during the nighttime operation, and Ingram jumped in to rescue him. Both sailors were quickly overwhelmed by their heavy gear and drowned within 47 seconds.
U.S. Central Command leader Gen. Michael Kurilla agreed with the investigation’s findings, calling the incident preventable. He stressed that proper equipment, personal responsibility, and procedures are necessary to safeguard against such hazards in the future.
The investigation dismissed claims of bad weather and an anonymous report of alcohol consumption on board the U.S. ship. Instead, it pointed to operational failures as the primary cause of the tragedy.
The search for Chambers and Ingram was called off on January 22 after rescue teams were unable to recover their bodies. Both Naval Special Warfare Command and Naval Forces Central Command accepted the report’s findings and are expected to improve safety protocols for future operations.
