NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Navy is currently investigating the death of a local sailor aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5).
According to Naval Surface Force Atlantic spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jason Fischer, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Amare Long was found dead aboard the Norfolk-based ship on April 18.
Navy officials declined to provide further details regarding the death citing an ongoing Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation.
“Our thoughts go out to his family and shipmates during this incredibly difficult period, and we would ask that their privacy be respected at this time,” Lt. Cmdr. Fischer told 10 On Your Side.
An NCIS Public Affairs official confirmed the death investigation with 10 On Your Side.
NCIS is conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Petty Officer 3rd Class Amare Long, as we do in response to all non-combat, medically unattended fatalities of Department of the Navy service members. Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS does not comment on or confirm details relating to ongoing investigations.
NCIS Public Affairs, Office of Strategic Communications
The Navy Times reported that Long enlisted in August 2020 and the Bataan was his first command after completing “A” school.
According to the post, Long was a Hampton Roads resident who was a recipient of the Mark Edwin Lee basketball summer camp scholarship at the University of North Carolina.
A social media post from the scholarship remembered Long as an “extremely dedicated brother, son, and grandson.”
“His passion for life, leadership skills, & infectious smile will long be remembered not only by family & friends, but by the community at large.”
This death investigation is among many the Navy is currently conducting, as officials try to learn more about the deaths of seven service members assigned to the USS George Washington in the past year.
Four of these deaths were confirmed or apparent suicides, with three of the bodies being found in less than a week.
The Navy identified the three sailors who died as Mikail Sharp, Natasha Huffman and Xavier Hunter Mitchell-Sandor.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Norfolk), a Navy veteran herself, told 10 On Your Side that when there’s a trend, it’s important to look deeper and see if there are any underlying causes.
Just last week, Luria and Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Newport News) both toured the USS George Washington and spoke directly with sailors. The ship has been at Newport News Shipbuilding since 2017 for refueling.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Military members can call the Military Crisis Line, which connects active-duty service members and veterans in crisis with Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit http://www.militarycrisisline.net/, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255, Option 1), or text 838255.
For information on programs, events, presentations and support groups the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers, click here.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-TALK.