An assault amphibious vehicle departs the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) while conducting the final amphibious assault, during Rim of the Pacific 2016, July 30, 2016. (U.S. Navy photo/Joseph M. Buliavac)
1 Marine from 15 MEU is dead and 8 more are missing after an amphibious assault vehicle sunk early this morning.
The Marines had been conducting a routine training exercise near San Clemente Island when the AAV was reported to be taking on water.
“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining eight service members,” a I Marine Expeditionary Force news release says. “Assisting in the search efforts are the USS John Finn, three U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopters and multiple small boats from the USS Makin Island, USS Somerset, and USS San Diego, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forrest Rednour and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Sector San Diego.”
Of the 15 Marines and one sailor aboard the AAV, eight were able to make it out of the vehicle. One was evacuated to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego, where the Marine was pronounced dead. Two more Marines were sent to local hospitals, where they remain. One is in critical condition, and one is stable, according to officials.