Search for Marine Lost in Training Now a Recovery Mission

The search for a U.S. Marine who went missing during a training exercise off the Southern California coast has officially become a recovery mission. U.S. Navy officials announced the change late Saturday after several days of extensive search efforts. The Marine was assigned to the USS Anchorage, an amphibious transport dock, and was participating in training exercises with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton and the Makin Island Ready Group. The search began Thursday afternoon after the Marine was reported missing. Officials say the joint operation involved three ships and 12 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. By Saturday, crews had searched approximately 2,400 square miles of ocean in hopes of locating the missing service member. Navy officials have not released the Marine’s identity. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain under investigation as recovery efforts continue.