Military searches for US Marine missing off California coast

SAN DIEGO — A search and recovery operation is underway after a U.S. Marine was reported missing off the Southern California coast, according to reports.

Search and rescue efforts began at about 1:21 a.m. local time on June 25 after the Marine was reported missing, ABC 10News San Diego and NBC 7 San Diego reported, citing a U.S. Navy news release. The Marine was serving aboard the USS Anchorage during integrated training between the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, according to the reports.

The multi-agency response has covered roughly 2,400 square miles over about 43 hours using three ships and 12 aircraft, ABC 10News and NBC 7 reported. Agencies involved in the search include the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.

Search and rescue efforts shifted to a search and recovery mission at about 9 p.m. local time on June 26, according to reports. Military officials have not provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding the Marine's disappearance.

The Marine’s name has not been released, in accordance with Navy policy to withhold identification until at least 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, NBC 7 reported.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time," the Navy said in the news release cited by both news outlets.

USA TODAY reached out to the Navy for comment.

The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship homeported at Naval Base San Diego. The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in north San Diego County.

Latest incident involving missing US military members

The disappearance of the Marine marks the latest incident in recent weeks involving the U.S. military searching for missing service members.

In May, two U.S. Army soldiers went missing in Morocco after participating in military exercises called the African Lion 26, the U.S. Africa Command said in a statement at the time. The African Lion is an annual joint exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia that aims to "strengthen interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO Allies, and African partner nations," according to the U.S. Army of Europe and Africa website.

The soldiers went missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area near the city of Tan Tan in southwestern Morocco, USA TODAY previously reported. More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel were involved in the search operation.

The bodies of the soldiers, who were later identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, and Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, was recovered more than a week later, according to the Army. NBC News, The Associated Press, and the BBC reported that the soldiers fell off a cliff during an off‑duty recreational hike.

Contributing: Drew Pittock and Kate Perez, USA TODAY