Naval authorities have transitioned a search operation for a missing Marine off the Southern California coast into a recovery mission. The service member disappeared from the USS Anchorage while participating in integrated training exercises.
The Marine was attached to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stationed at Camp Pendleton, and was part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. The incident occurred during routine training maneuvers aboard the amphibious transport dock ship, which is homeported at Naval Base San Diego.
Extensive Search Efforts Underway
The extensive search commenced on Thursday and was reclassified as a search and recovery effort by Friday. The multi-agency operation involved significant resources, including three surface vessels and twelve aircraft, with personnel from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Officials reported that the search area encompassed approximately 2,400 square miles.
In a statement released this week regarding the incident, the Navy conveyed its condolences:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time."
The identity of the missing Marine is being withheld while family members are notified.
Recent Military Search Operations
This event marks at least the second instance within a six-week period where the U.S. military has undertaken a search for missing service personnel.
In May, the remains of two U.S. Army soldiers, who had gone missing during military training exercises in Morocco, were successfully located. That multinational search and recovery operation, which concluded with the discovery, utilized various assets, including air, naval, and artificial intelligence capabilities, according to the Army's statement at the time.
