The search for a Marine who disappeared from the USS Anchorage during integrated training exercises off the Southern California coast has shifted to a recovery operation, Navy officials said.
The Marine was on board the ship while taking part in training with Camp Pendleton’s 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.
Search efforts began Thursday and continued into Friday, when officials said the mission transitioned to search and recovery. The operation involved three surface vessels and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force.
Navy officials said the mission has moved from search and rescue to recovery efforts. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Crews searched roughly 2,400 square miles, according to officials.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time,” the Navy said in a news release issued this week regarding the missing Marine.
The Navy said the Marine’s identity was being withheld until relatives could be notified.
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Officials said the search area spanned about 2,400 square miles. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)
The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship based at Naval Base San Diego.
This is at least the second time in six weeks that the U.S. military has had to search for missing service members.
The search featured three ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force. (GENNA MARTIN/San Francisco Chronicle)
The remains of the second of two U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during military training exercises in Morocco were recovered in May, ending a multinational search operation that utilized air, naval and artificial intelligence assets, the Army said at the time.
