Five US Service Men killed in crash

Five US Marines have been confirmed dead after their helicopter crashed in a remote area of Southern California during a training flight on Tuesday night, according to a news release from their Marine Corps unit.

Efforts are underway to recover their remains, after the helicopter – a CH-53E Super Stallion – was reported overdue while en route from Indian Springs Air Force base (INS/KINS) near Las Vegas to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego (NKX/KNKX).

“These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement on Thursday. “We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.”

The families of the Marines were notified Wednesday night and early Thursday in person, Col. James Ford of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said during a news conference Thursday. The Marines’ identities are expected to be released 24 hours after the notifications, the unit had said earlier.

Ford said the focus has shifted to recovering the remains of the Marines in what he described as “hazardous terrain,” indicating officials are conducting a ground recovery.

“Since the five aircrew of Marine heavy helicopter squadron 361 were located, their fellow Marines have remained by their side, as Marines do, and took shifts throughout the night at the mishap site, keeping watch over the fallen despite the hazardous weather conditions,” Ford said. “Our fellow Marines were, and continue to be, guarded by their brothers and sisters.”

The helicopter was found Wednesday morning in Pine Valley, a mountainous area some 30 miles east of the San Diego station, during a multi-agency search effort that San Diego officials had said was hampered by heavy snow. The crash is under investigation.

The CH-53E is a heavy-lift helicopter that can move troops and equipment and carry as much as 16 tons of cargo, according to the US Navy. The Marines aboard the craft were assigned to Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, Marines Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon said.

Aircraft Information: 

Owner/ Operator: US Marine Corps 

Aircraft: Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion 

Registration: 164366

Serial Number: 65-595

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND OF COURSE THE U S MARINES