Sailor Tragically Dies During Training at NAS Jacksonville

Sailor Tragically Dies During Training at NAS Jacksonville
Image By: First Coast News

Tuesday, Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, said that a U.S. Navy sailor passed away last week during a training operation onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

While on an intermediate stop at the naval installation on June 4, Chief Petty Officer Pete Lagosh was leading a training exercise, according to Cmdr. Dawn Stankus. Lagosh’s death and all its circumstances are being looked at by the NCIS.

According to Stankus, Lagosh was enrolled in the Navy’s Surface Rescue Swimmer School (SRSS) Category II refresher training and was in a “on-duty status”. During a permanent change of station orders to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 in Japan, Lagosh made a “intermediate stop” at NAS Jax.

“We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and shipmates of the Sailor during this difficult time,” Stankus stated. “Grief counseling services and support are available through the appropriate chains of command and through chaplains.”

The Surface recover Swimmer course instructs sailors on how to conduct life-saving procedures and recover fallen airmen, according to a training video supplied by NAS Jax. According to the sailors in the video, passing it is quite difficult.

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The military community has taken a hit with Lagosh’s death.

In Jacksonville, Riley Keys oversees center operations for the United Service Organizations (USO). No matter what the circumstances, he noted, losing a service member is never easy.

“A lot of things go through my mind, what are the sailors thinking about? What are their family members thinking about? And how do we get to the point where we can help support them?” Keys stated.

Adjacent to NAS Jax, the USO center provides services to military personnel from all branches as well as their families. According to Keys, the organization collaborates with base chaplains to offer assistance to anyone in need amid disasters such as this.

“We have what we call our canine program, our canine program is there, we have a therapy dog. So a lot of our volunteers have dogs, and we are able to go to those different locations and something like this. It’s good for physical needs, or emotional needs, or mental needs,” Keys stated.

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With more than two years of expertise in news and analysis, Eileen Stewart is a seasoned reporter. Eileen is a respected voice in this field, well-known for her sharp reporting and insightful analysis. Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from politics to culture and more.