An investigation into the deaths of two Navy SEALs during a mission to seize Iranian missile parts has determined that the incident could have been prevented. Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram drowned in January while attempting to board a suspected smuggling vessel in the Arabian Sea.
The report, led by Rear Adm. Michael DeVore, found that the SEALs lacked necessary safety precautions that could have saved their lives. The investigation pointed to “deficiencies, gaps, and inconsistencies” in the planning and execution of the mission, which left the SEALs vulnerable to the dangerous conditions they encountered.
Chambers and Ingram went missing on January 11 during a nighttime operation targeting an Iranian ship carrying missile parts to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Chambers fell into the water while boarding the vessel, and Ingram jumped in to save him. Both were weighed down by their heavy equipment and drowned within seconds.
Gen. Michael Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, concurred with the findings, stating that the deaths were “preventable” and should have been avoided with better procedures and equipment. He emphasized the need for a “layered defense” to protect personnel during high-risk operations.
The report ruled out time, weather, and anonymous reports of drinking on the U.S. ship as factors, focusing instead on the operational shortcomings that led to the incident.
The search for Chambers and Ingram was called off on January 22. Both Naval Forces Central Command and Naval Special Warfare Command have accepted the report’s findings and are expected to implement changes to prevent future tragedies.
