Operation Southern Spear

Marine Lance Cpl. Chukwuemeka E. Oforah, 21, of Florida, was declared dead Tuesday after falling overboard from the USS Iwo Jima during a Caribbean operation and a 72‑hour search that involved five U.S. Navy ships, a rigid‑hulled inflatable boat and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Oforah, who enlisted in October 2023, graduated Parris Island in February 2024, completed School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines deployed with BLT 3/6, 22nd MEU; Col. Tom Trimble offered condolences and the circumstances of how he went into the water remain under investigation.