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Heavy Gear Led to Preventable Drownings of Two Navy SEALs Off Somalia, Investigation Finds

Oct 11, 2024, 04:06 PM

Two U.S. Navy SEALs, Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class Nathan Gage Ingram, drowned during a nighttime boat raid off the coast of Somalia in January while attempting to board a ship carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons bound for Yemen. Chambers was from Maryland, and Ingram was from Massachusetts. According to a military investigation released Friday, the deaths were preventable and were caused by heavy personal gear that caused them to sink almost immediately upon entering the water. The investigation cited training failures and a lack of understanding about what to do after falling into deep, turbulent waters. The head of U.S. Central Command called the deaths "preventable."