Multiple agencies are continuing to search for a U.S. Marine who went missing during a training exercise off the coast of southern California. The search began early Thursday morning, shortly after midnight, according to a Navy news release.
The Marine was reported missing from the USS Anchorage during integrated training between the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship based at Naval Base San Diego.
By Friday evening, the Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue efforts to a search-and-recovery operation. The name of the Marine is being withheld pending family notification. Officials expressed thoughts and prayers for the family and all affected during this challenging time.
The expansive search has covered approximately 2,400 square miles (6,200 square kilometers) and involves three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.
This incident marks at least the second time in six weeks that the U.S. military has conducted searches for missing members. In May, the remains of two U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during military exercises in Morocco were recovered, concluding a multinational search operation that utilized air, naval, and artificial intelligence assets.