Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The search for an Omaha sailor who fell from the deck of his ship near Japan is over, according to his family.
Family of Airman Jason J. Doyle said Monday that the Navy told them it had called off search and rescue efforts and changed the Omaha man's official status to "lost at sea."
Doyle, 19, of Omaha and previously of Sunset, Utah, fell from the USS Kitty Hawk about 4:49 p.m. Saturday. Search and rescue efforts began immediately, but Navy officials now say they do not expect to find the missing sailor, a family spokesperson said.
Doyle was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 136, which flies EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft.
He fell into the water while the ship was conducting routine flight operations, the Navy said.
The Navy has not released information about how Doyle fell or from what height. Officials said if Doyle was on duty on the flight deck, which covers 4.1 acres on the top of the ship, then he would have been wearing a life vest that inflates upon impact with the water and carries a distress beacon. If he was off duty, he would not have been wearing the vest, officials said.
The Kitty Hawk will hold an on-board memorial service Thursday. Local memorial services have not yet been announced.
Doyle grew up in Utah before moving with his father and brother to Nebraska, where he attended high school before enlisting.
The USS Kitty Hawk had recently been docked in Otaru, where Doyle enjoyed learning Japanese and making friends with residents, said Doyle's aunt, Louise Weilenmann of Salt Lake City.
The Navy is investigating why Doyle fell.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
