July 28, 2026 3:50 a.m. 

Pursuant to the United States Flag Code, Governor Tina Kotek ordered flags at all Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff Wednesday, in honor of U.S. Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards, who died at sea on July 1st, following an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea

A release from the Governor’s Office said Edwards was a native of Oakland, Oregon and graduated in 2006 from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC. He earned his aviator “Wings of Gold” in 2008 as a helicopter pilot and served with Helicopter Seas Combat Squadron 22, the “Sea Knights”. His service has been recognized with several awards for his work on multiple elite units, including HSC-84, The “Red Wolves”, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 as the air-to-ground fires office and Joint Terminal Attack Controller, and HSC-85 the “Firehawks”. He assumed command of HSC-5, the “Nightdippers”, in July 2025.

“Governor Kotek said, “On behalf of the people of Oregon, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Commander Gabriel Edwards, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation”. Governor Kotek said, “Commander Edwards embodied the highest ideals of duty, honor, and coverage during his nearly two decades
in service”.

The flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday.