Chukwuemeka Oforah, a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, fell overboard from the USS Iwo Jima on February 7, 2026. The event occurred in the Caribbean Sea during a deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Officials reported the fall in the evening and initiated immediate response measures.
Authorities declared Oforah deceased on February 10, 2026. The declaration followed an unsuccessful search that lasted 72 hours. Oforah, aged 21 and from Florida, held Nigerian descent and served as an infantry rifleman.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Teams launched a comprehensive search operation right after the incident. The effort involved five Navy ships, one rigid-hull inflatable boat, and 10 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Helicopters included two MH-60 Sierras, two MH-60 Romeos, one AH-1Z Viper, and one UH-1Y Venom.
Additionally a Navy P-8 Poseidon, two Air Force HC-130J Combat King IIs, and an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper participated. Despite these resources, rescuers failed to locate Oforah. The military suspended the search after three days.
Background and Service
Oforah enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023. He completed training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2024. Later, officials assigned him to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
At the time, Oforah supported Operation Southern Spear. This mission conducted 38 lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels since September. It also aided the capture of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro in January 2026.
Official Responses
Tom Trimble, a Colonel and commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable, issued a statement.
He said, “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.”
Meanwhile the Naval Safety Command and Naval Surface Force Atlantic investigated the circumstances. The probe received full cooperation from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the unit. Oforah marked the first publicly announced death in the operation.
Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, defended the operation’s tactics. He stated they aimed to remove “narco-terrorists” and secure the U.S. from illegal drugs.
