THE deaths of two sailors assigned to the US Fifth Fleet, immediately following the death of the maritime force’s commanding officer, are being investigated.
Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, the highest ranking American naval officer in the region, was found dead at his home in Bahrain on December 1.
US media have reported that Vice Admiral Stearney committed suicide, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
The two other sailors also died early last month in separate incidents, and US defence officials told the USNI News, the daily service of the US Naval Institute, that the circumstances “point to suicide”.
“The closeness of the deaths have raised defence officials’ concerns that Stearney’s high-profile status may have given tacit permission to the other two sailors to end their own lives,” two officials told USNI News.
However, the Fifth Fleet and the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) confirmed to the GDN yesterday that investigations continue in the deaths.
A Fifth Fleet spokesperson said no foul play was suspected in the death of a US sailor who died in Dubai on December 9.
“A sailor, assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 and deployed to US Fifth Fleet’s Task Force 56, died of a non-combat related injury while temporarily stationed in Dubai, on December 9,” said the spokesperson
“The UAE Criminal Investigation Division and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) are conducting a combined investigation.
“No foul play is suspected.”
The serviceman was not identified.
On December 10, Royal Navy Lieutenant Steven Clark, who served with the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) based in Bahrain, also died suddenly, Royal Navy spokesperson Lt Charlotte Wood told USNI News.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” said a CMF spokesperson.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Fleet spokesperson said there “are no new developments” regarding Vice Admiral Stearney’s death.
America’s second most senior naval officer, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Bill Moran, travelled to Bahrain following the death of Vice Admiral Stearney, who assumed his post in Bahrain in May.
Admiral Moran’s visit last month was designed to reassure US allies in the region that it remained committed to ensuring stability, freedom of navigation and security.
The Fifth Fleet covers 20 countries and includes three critical choke points – the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
Vice Admiral James Malloy assumed command of the Fifth Fleet on December 7.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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