Search ends; Marine ‘presumed lost’ in Persian Gulf
The search for an enlisted Marine who bailed out into the Persian Gulf has concluded and the Marine is “presumed lost at sea,” the Navy announced Thursday.
The Marine, an aircrew member of an MV-22B Osprey, bailed out of the aircraft Wednesday when it lost power and appeared in danger of crashing. A second Marine also bailed out and was rescued. He is in stable condition.
The pilot of the Osprey was able to regain control and land aboard the amphibious assault ship Makin Island. The incident occurred shortly after an attempted takeoff.
The name of the Marine will be withheld for 24 hours after his family is notified, the Navy said.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel joined in the search for more than 24 hours. An investigation into the cause of the Osprey’s problem is underway.
The Makin Island is part of the Camp Pendleton-based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit now deployed to the U.S. Central Command area in support of U.S. operations in Iraq and Syria, the Navy said.
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group consists of three ships and 4,000 Marines and sailors.
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