US Marine Declared Deceased After Overboard Incident Aboard USS Iwo Jima During Caribbean Operations

CARIBBEAN SEA - Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, a 21-year-old infantry rifleman from Florida, was declared deceased on February 10 following an extensive 72-hour search and rescue operation after he fell overboard from the USS Iwo Jima on the evening of February 7.

​The incident occurred while the vessel was conducting routine operations in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment.

The search involved multiple U.S. Navy ships, helicopters from the Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force aircraft, and national technical means, covering a wide area without success. Officials expressed profound grief over the loss, highlighting Oforah’s dedicated service. The circumstances remain under investigation by military authorities.

Operational Context and Deployment Details

The USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship designated LHD 7, serves as the flagship for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. This group operates in conjunction with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, a Special Operations Capable force assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

At the time of the incident, Oforah was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6, part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The unit was engaged in routine maritime operations in the Caribbean Sea, which include security cooperation, humanitarian assistance readiness, and other expeditionary tasks. Such deployments maintain a forward presence to support regional stability and rapid response capabilities. The overboard event disrupted operations temporarily, prompting an immediate shift to search and rescue priorities.

The search effort demonstrated inter-service coordination, utilizing five Navy ships for surface operations, including rigid-hull inflatable boats and rescue swimmer teams. Aerial assets comprised six helicopters: two MH-60 Sierras and two MH-60 Romeos from the Navy, one AH-1Z Viper and one UH-1Y Venom from the Marine Corps.

Fixed-wing support included one Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, two Air Force HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue planes, and one Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle. These resources logged hundreds of flight hours over the 72-hour period, reflecting standard protocols for man-overboard scenarios in open waters.

Biographical Details of Lance Cpl. Oforah

Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2024, followed by the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Upon graduation, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit based at Camp Lejeune. Oforah served as an infantry rifleman, a role involving ground combat operations, weapons proficiency, and expeditionary readiness.

His deployment with Battalion Landing Team 3/6 aboard the USS Iwo Jima marked his first major operational assignment. No official photograph has been released by military authorities.

Official Statements

• Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), stated: “We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family. The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten.” (II Marine Expeditionary Force, February 12, 2026).