Marine Airman Missing from San Diego-Based Ship

A search is underway for a Marine airman missing in the Persian Gulf, the U.S. Navy confirmed.

On Wednesday, an MV-22 Osprey lost power when taking off from USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship homeported at Naval Base San Diego. Two crew members bailed out into the water. One of those Marines was rescued safely, but the other is still missing, according to the Navy.

The pilot managed to gain control of the plane and return to the ship, the Navy said. The MV-22 Osprey can carry two dozen troops, though it appears only three were on board at the time of the incident.

NBC 7 reporter Lea Sutton rides an Osprey aircraft at MCAS Miramar along with pilot Tom Kershul. Lea Sutton covers stories involving San Diego’s military community. Send her your thoughts via Twitter @nbcsandiego or add your comment to our Facebook page. Find more of her stories in our special military section.

The aircraft is part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) based at Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County. 

Planes from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and smaller Navy boats have joined the search. The missing Marine's name has not been released.

The Navy and Marine Corps are investigating what went wrong and why the crew members jumped out of the plane.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU deployed last July to support operations in the Middle East.

Refresh this article for the latest on this developing story.

Nearly 4,000 sailors and Marines from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit left San Diego. NBC 7’s Matt Rascon reports.
Contact Us