La. crewman dies in copter crash
By The Associated Press
July 23, 2012
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Louisiana native has been identified by the U.S. Navy as one of two victims of a helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea.
Helicopter Crewman 2nd Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, died in the crash of the MH-53E Sea Dragon, according to a spokesman for the Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo., also was killed.
Three other crewmen survived the Saturday night crash 58 miles southwest of Muscat, the capital of Oman, the Navy said.
The Sea Dragon was assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron 15, based in Norfolk, Va.
No hostile activity was suspected, the Navy said, but an investigation is under way.