This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Jon Stetz, LSCS
to remember
Sullivan, Sean P. (Sully), SCPO.
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Contact Info
Home Town Hagatna (Agana)
Last Address With HM-15 deployed from Norfolk.
Date of Passing Jul 19, 2012
Location of Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (VA) - St. Louis, Missouri
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., died in a helicopter crash July 19 in Oman. They were declared deceased following an extensive search of the wreckage and the surrounding areas of the crash.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, went down about 58 miles southwest of Muscat, Oman, during heavy-lift support operations, the Navy said in a news release.The crash was not a result of hostile activity, according to the Navy.
Other Comments:
Sean's love for his country was surpassed only by his love for his family. He was known as Sully to his friends and was as Irish as the Blarney Stone. He was a gentle bear whose hugs were legendary and frequent. Sean possessed a quiet strength and was kind and generous with a wicked sense of humor.
Born in Agana, Guam, Sean was a 1990 graduate of Lindbergh High School. A fourth generation sailor, he entered the United States Navy in 1991 and attended recruit training in RTC Great Lakes, IL.
Chief Sullivan also served ashore at Helicopter Training Squadron 8 NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL, Naval Recruiting District, St Louis, MO. Sean has served two tours in Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, once in Corpus Christi and, most recently in Norfolk, VA.
Sean was named NHA Region FOUR Air Crewman of the Year in 2006. Sean served in Operation Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Three of the helicopter's five crew members were safely recovered. Search and rescue efforts for the other two were called off late Friday, the Navy said.
Another MH-53E assigned to the squadron has been providing assistance at the crash site.
An investigation is under way, the Navy said in the news release.
The three-engine MH-53E is able to operate from aircraft carriers and other warships and is mainly used for minesweeping operations.
Oman lies on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Along with Iran, it controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf that is the route for a fifth of the world's oil supply.
The Omani sultanate maintains close diplomatic ties with Washington and Tehran.
The Blackhawks of Squadron 15 moved to Norfolk Naval Station in 2009 from Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Texas as part of military base closures. The unit includes about 600 people.
The squadron won an aviation battle efficiency award for its performance in 2011.
At times, HM-15 has had more than 750 personnel. Her largest work center, the "Line Division" boasts at times nearly a hundred personnel, supporting rotating "round the clock" operations. Her second largest work center, the "Airframes and Hydraulics Shop" has almost 60 personnel. She also has one of the "World's Greatest" Administrative Departments. Broken down into Admin and Personnel, this handful of about 10 Sailors take care of all 750 HM-15 members pay, special requests, leave, evaluations, fitreps, and awards.
