News Summary
The U.S. Navy has identified five sailors who tragically died in a helicopter crash off the coast of San Diego. Among the deceased is Sarah F. Burns, a dedicated hospital corpsman. The incident involved an MH-60S from the USS Abraham Lincoln during a training mission. Investigations are ongoing as the Navy seeks answers to this heartbreaking loss, and condolences have been expressed by the Governor of Maryland.
San Diego, California – The U.S. Navy has confirmed the identities of five sailors who tragically died in a helicopter crash off the coast of San Diego during a training mission. Among the deceased is Sarah F. Burns, a 31-year-old hospital corpsman who was originally from Severna Park, Maryland. The naval helicopter incident involved an MH-60S operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln, marking a sorrowful moment for the Navy and the families of the fallen sailors.
Alongside Burns, the casualties include Lt. Bradley A. Foster, 29, a pilot from Oakhurst, California; Lt. Paul R. Fridley, 28, a pilot from Annandale, Virginia; Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31, from Salem, Virginia; and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21, from St. Louis, Missouri. Following the incident, rescue operations transitioned into recovery efforts after all five crew members were declared dead.
Investigations into the cause of the helicopter crash are currently ongoing, and further details are expected as the Navy seeks to ascertain what led to this tragic event.
Sarah F. Burns was born in Salisbury, Maryland, and raised in Severna Park, where she excelled in sports as a member of her high school’s track and lacrosse teams, graduating from Severna Park High School in 2007. After high school, she pursued education at Anne Arundel Community College, continuing to demonstrate her athletic abilities by running cross-country and playing lacrosse.
In August 2010, Burns joined the U.S. Navy, inspired by her familial legacy of military service, particularly her paternal grandfather. She completed basic training and technical schooling in Pensacola, Florida, before serving at Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 based in Norfolk, Virginia. Demonstrating skill and commitment, she transitioned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84, continuing her naval career until 2016.
After moving to Coronado, California, Burns joined the renowned Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85, known as the “Firehawks.” During her service, she cross-rated to hospital corpsman and became a search and rescue medical technician, undergoing rigorous training, including Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school. In November 2020, she achieved a transfer to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, known as the “Eightballers,” where she earned both her Naval Air Crew and Aviation Warfare Pins.
In her personal life, Burns married Lucas in August 2017 after meeting him in January of the same year. The couple enjoyed a shared passion for fitness, beach activities, traveling, camping, and exploring new foods. They often looked forward to the future and the opportunities it might bring.
The state of Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan publicly extended condolences to Sarah Burns’ family and the families of the other sailors through social media. Following her untimely death, she was posthumously promoted to the rank of first class and laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
The helicopter crash represents a great loss not only for the Navy and its personnel but also for the communities connected to the service members involved. As investigations continue, the focus remains on honoring the lives and service of those who were lost in this unfortunate accident.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Times
- WMAR2 News
- CBS News
- Baltimore Sun
- Navy Times
- Wikipedia: United States Navy
- Google Search: Navy helicopter crash
- Google Scholar: Navy helicopter safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Navy
- Google News: Navy helicopter incident
