FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS -- Two sailors were killed when their MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15 crashed 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman Thursday while conducting heavy lift support operations.

Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo., and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Second Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, La., were declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash. 

Three of the helicopter's five crewmembers were safely recovered.

The crash was not due to hostile action.

The incident is under investigation.

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