January 1, TRAGEDY: Marine Vanishes During Training Exercise Off California Coast

Wyatt’s Take

• A Marine has gone missing from the USS Anchorage during training operations off the Southern California coast, and what started as a search mission has now turned into a recovery effort
• Over 2,400 square miles were searched using three ships and 12 aircraft from multiple branches, but the Marine remains unaccounted for
• This marks the second time in just six weeks that our military has lost service members during training exercises — raising serious questions about safety protocols

A Marine participating in training exercises off the coast of Southern California has gone missing from the USS Anchorage, and military officials have now shifted their efforts to a recovery mission. The Marine was aboard the ship as part of integrated training with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.

The search began Thursday before transitioning to a recovery operation Friday. The massive effort involved three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.

Search teams covered approximately 2,400 square miles in their attempt to locate the missing service member. Despite the extensive resources deployed, the Marine has not been found.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time,” the Navy said in a statement.

The Marine’s name is being withheld pending family notification. The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship based at Naval Base San Diego.

This incident marks at least the second time in six weeks that the U.S. military has had to search for missing service members during training operations.

In May, the remains of the second of two U.S. Army soldiers who went missing during military training exercises in Morocco were recovered, ending a multinational search operation that utilized air, naval, and artificial intelligence assets.

The frequency of these incidents raises legitimate concerns about the safety measures in place during military training exercises. Our service members put their lives on the line every day, and they deserve the highest levels of protection during both combat and training operations.

Wyatt Matters

When we send our sons and daughters into military service, we expect them to be protected to the fullest extent possible — especially during peacetime training. Two incidents in six weeks isn’t just bad luck; it demands serious examination of our training protocols. These brave Americans volunteer to defend our freedom, and we owe them nothing less than the safest possible environment when they’re preparing for that mission. Pray for this Marine’s family and demand accountability from military leadership.