Since 9:40 a.m. local time Thursday — Wednesday evening in the U.S. — Navy and Marine Corps aircraft have run around-the-clock searches of the Sulu Sea and Surigao Strait for the Marine who is presumed overboard from Essex, the 13th MEU said in a statement. The search efforts are being assisted by the Philippine Coast Guard vessel.
“As we continue our search operation, we ask that you keep our Marine and the Marine’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th MEU, said in a statement. “We remain committed to searching for and finding our Marine.”
The Marine’s family has been notified of the search, but the Marine’s identity is not being released while the search is ongoing, according to a Navy statement. So far, the search has covered more than 3,000 square nautical miles.
When Essex departed San Diego in July, the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) included amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47). Also part of the Essex ARG/MEU also included the first deployment of a squadron of Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters, from the “Wake Island Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211.
“It is an all-hands effort to find our missing Marine,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Gerald Olin, the commander of Amphibious Squadron One and the on-scene commander of the search and rescue operation. “All of our Sailors, Marines, and available assets aboard the USS Essex have been and will continue to be involved in this incredibly important search and rescue operation.”
The following is the complete release from the 13th MEU.
Search and rescue operations ongoing for missing Marine
For Immediate Release
Aug. 10, 2018
SULU SEA – A combined effort of U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Philippine ships and aircraft are currently searching for a Marine, assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard USS Essex (LHD 2). The Marine was reported missing while the ship was conducting routine operations in the Sulu Sea, August 9.
Essex reported a Marine overboard at 9:40 a.m. local time.
The ship’s crew responded promptly to the situation by launching a search and rescue operation.
“As we continue our search operation, we ask that you keep our Marine and the Marine’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” said Col. Chandler Nelms, Commanding Officer, 13th MEU. “We remain committed to searching for and finding our Marine.”
To date, multiple searches have been conducted inside the ship while embarked aircraft aboard the USS Essex conduct round-the-clock search and rescue operations within the Sulu Sea and Surigao Strait. In addition, U.S. Navy P-8 aircraft and Philippine Coast Guard vessels have expanded the search area. Together, the response has covered roughly 3,000 square nautical miles.
“It is an all-hands effort to find our missing Marine,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Gerald Olin, commander, Amphibious Squadron One and the on-scene commander of the search and rescue operation. “All of our Sailors, Marines, and available assets aboard the USS Essex have been and will continue to be involved in this incredibly important search and rescue operation.”
The Marine’s family has been notified, however, the name is being withheld while the search is ongoing.
