A search operation is continuing for a US Marine who disappeared during a training exercise off the coast of southern California. Military officials confirmed that multiple agencies were involved in the effort on Sunday.
The Marine was reported missing from the USS Anchorage shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, during integrated training involving the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
This incident marks at least the second time in six weeks that the US military has had to search for missing personnel. In May, the remains of two US Army soldiers, who vanished during exercises in Morocco, were recovered following a multinational search operation that utilised air, naval, and artificial intelligence assets.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time,” the Navy said in the news release this week about the missing Marine.
The Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue efforts to a search-and-recovery operation Friday evening. The Marine's name was being withheld pending the notification of family.
The search has covered about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square kilometers) and involved three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force, officials said.
The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship based at Naval Base San Diego.
