NewsNBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsJune 29, 2026San Diego
Community Mourns Loss of Marine Missing During Training Exercise
A Minnesota community held a vigil for Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, a 21-year-old Marine who went missing during a training exercise off the coast of Southern California. Following an extensive search, the military transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery operation and declared him dead.
Read the full story at NBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsWhy It Matters
The incident highlights the risks associated with military training exercises and the subsequent protocols involving multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Key Facts
- Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco disappeared around 1:20 a.m. Thursday during integrated training off the coast of Southern California.
- The military transitioned from a search-and-rescue mission to a search-and-recovery mission at 9 p.m. Friday.
- The I Marine Expeditionary Force declared Ortiz Canseco dead on Saturday.
- The search operation covered approximately 2,400 square miles over 43 hours.
- Search assets included three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force.
- Ortiz Canseco enlisted in the Marines in April 2023 and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
- The family of the deceased has requested that the search continue until his body is recovered and that an investigation be conducted with timely updates.
Who's Mentioned
organizationI Marine Expeditionary Force“The military unit that confirmed the death of the Marine.”other12“Number of aircraft used in the search operation.”personGary A. Harrington“Commodore of Amphibious Squadron 7 who issued a statement regarding the loss.”personArmando Ortiz Canseco“21-year-old Lance Cpl. who went missing and was declared dead following a traini”locationOak Grove Lutheran Church“Location of the community vigil in Richfield, Minnesota.”locationUSS Anchorage“The ship where the Marine was serving during the training exercise.”