Marine Search Underway
US Military Searches for Marine Missing from USS Anchorage Off Southern California
A U.S. Marine went missing from the USS Anchorage during a nighttime training exercise off the coast of Southern California on June 25, 2026, triggering a massive search spanning roughly 2,400 square miles. After 43 hours of active searching, the Navy shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery operation — a sign that officials believe the Marine is unlikely to be found alive, according to Associated Press.
The Marine, whose name has not been released pending family notification, belonged to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The search involved 3 ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. It is the second time in six weeks that the U.S. military has had to mount a major search for missing service members.
Marine Vanished During High-Risk Nighttime Drill
The Marine was reported missing at approximately 1:20 a.m. PT on June 25, according to Task & Purpose. The USS Anchorage was taking part in an integrated training operation — a complex, high-intensity exercise where Marines and Navy crews practice coordinated amphibious maneuvers, often in the dark. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, led by the USS Makin Island, was also involved in the drill.
Integrated training is designed to be as realistic as possible, which raises the risk of accidents during nighttime shifts. The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton, has about 2,200 personnel trained for rapid amphibious operations, Task & Purpose noted. Investigators will review deck logs, duty assignments, and equipment records to determine how the Marine ended up in the water.
Search Shifts from Rescue to Recovery After 43 Hours
By Friday evening, June 26, the Navy had searched for more than 43 hours without locating the Marine. Officials then made the difficult call to switch from a search-and-rescue to a search-and-recovery operation, citing "time elapsed and the environmental conditions," according to CBS 8. That phrase is military shorthand for acknowledging that survival is no longer considered likely.
The search area grew to about 2,400 square miles — roughly the size of Delaware — by Sunday, June 28. Lt. Alissa Whyte, a Navy public affairs officer, said in a statement that "our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time," as reported by WKMG. Recovery efforts with aerial surveillance continued through the weekend.
Second Missing Service Member Search in Six Weeks
This incident follows a high-profile international search that ended in May 2026. Two U.S. Army soldiers went missing during military exercises in Morocco. Their remains were eventually found after a lengthy search that used advanced AI modeling of ocean currents, according to Associated Press. That recovery came just six weeks before this new disappearance.
The back-to-back incidents have raised questions about safety during training. Military analysts told Los Angeles Times that a high operational tempo — the pace at which units train and deploy — can increase the risk of accidents. Families of service members have grown increasingly concerned, with many asking whether safety protocols are being traded for mission readiness.
What Comes Next: Investigations and Possible Safety Pause
The Navy is expected to launch a formal JAGMAN investigation — a legal review process used to examine accidents and determine what went wrong. Investigators will look at everything from the ship's logs to which crew members were on watch when the Marine disappeared. The findings could lead to new rules for nighttime operations.
Analysts also expect the 13th MEU and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group to hold a "safety stand-down" — a temporary pause in exercises to review man-overboard protocols. With two major training incidents in 42 days, Los Angeles Times noted that Congress may also increase oversight of both domestic and overseas military training programs.
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