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Missing Marine From USS Makin Island Presumed Lost At Sea

An MV-22 Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), August 2014.
U.S. Navy
An MV-22 Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) launches from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), August 2014.

The Navy has called off its search for a U.S. Marine Corps aircrew member who went missing in the North Arabian Gulf after he bailed out of a MV-22 Osprey that lost power after taking off from the USS Makin Island.

Search and rescue efforts ended at 3:00 p.m. (GMT) Thursday, and the Marine is presumed lost at sea.

The missing Marine was one of two crew members who exited the Osprey into the water, believing the aircraft was about to crash.

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The other crew member was rescued, brought aboard the Makin Island for medical treatment, and is in stable condition.

The Opsrey's pilot regained control of the aircraft and was able to land aboard the USS Makin Island:

There were four personnel aboard the aircraft when it took off, two pilots and two enlisted aircrew. The lost Marine was one of the two enlisted aircrew who exited the aircraft when it appeared the Osprey might crash into the ocean.

The Pentagon has not yet released the identity of the lost Marine:

In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the name of the Marine will be withheld until 24 hours after family member notification.

An investigation into the accident is now underway.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group departed San Diego on July 25 for a scheduled deployment to the Middle East.