US: American Marine ’Presumed Lost’ in Persian Gulf

Local Editor

A US Marine who ejected from an airplane over the Persian Gulf is "presumed lost at sea," the US Navy said on Thursday, marking the first reported casualty from the ongoing operation against so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] in Iraq and Syria.

The Navy said the Marine and another crew member ejected from an MV-22 Osprey when the aircraft lost power and it appeared it might crash after takeoff on Wednesday from the USS Makin Island.

Bahrain hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet. The USS Makin Island is currently on a scheduled deployment supporting military operations in Iraq and Syria against Daesh. Ospreys have been moving Marines into Iraq.

Moreover, the Navy said in a statement that "US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel conducted an extensive search of the area using all available assets, which continued throughout the night and the next day."

The Navy said it and the Marine Corps will investigate the cause of the incident.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team