Marine identified after vanishing from ship off Southern California

U.S. military officials identified the Marine lost at sea off Southern California as Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, of Minnesota. Canseco was declared deceased on Saturday after he was reported missing from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage on Thursday, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation, according to a Monday press release from the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Search operation details The Navy did not release additional details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, which is under investigation. Crews searched approximately 2,400 square miles using three ships and 12 aircraft, according to military officials.

After more than 40 hours of searching, the military transitioned from a search-and-rescue mission to a search-and-recovery operation as of Friday night.

Background and statements Canseco enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2023.

He reported for training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, followed by the School of Infantry - West. , before transferring to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Most recently, he was temporarily assigned aboard Anchorage in preparation for integrated training between the 13th MEU and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.

Canseco was reported missing early Thursday morning, with a subsequent search involving Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force personnel. >"The loss of Lance Cpl. " — Capt. Gary Harrington, the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 7, Monday press release (I Marine Expeditionary Force) The family of Lance Cpl.

Armando Ortiz Canseco is seeking information from officials following the declaration of his death.