5 US Marines confirmed dead after helicopter went missing in California
The military helicopter went missing in California amid severe storms
On Thursday, the confirmation of the deaths of five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that went missing during a trip from Nevada to California was announced.
The crashed CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was located by first responders after hours of searching on Wednesday, with the crew’s fate confirmed on Thursday morning.
Maj. Gen. Borgschulte, Commanding General for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expressed deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight last night.”
He praised the dedication and service of the pilots and crew, stating, “These pilots and crew members were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.”
Maj. Gen. Borgschulte extended condolences to the families of the fallen Marines and assured them of continued support and care during this challenging time.
The loss of the Marines is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in the line of duty, and their memory will be honored by the military community and the nation at large.
The U.S. military follows a protocol of withholding the identities of deceased service members until at least 24 hours after notifying their next-of-kin.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed on Wednesday that President Biden had been briefed on the situation. Following the confirmation of the Marines’ deaths, Biden released a statement expressing condolences.
In his statement, President Biden said, “Jill and I are heartbroken at the loss of five U.S. Marines, whose aircraft crashed while flying from Nevada to California during a routine training mission. As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors.”
Biden expressed gratitude to the various agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts, including the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol. He emphasized the exceptional service and sacrifice of the Marines, stating, “Our service members represent the very best of our nation, and these five Marines were no exception.”
In closing, Biden reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of military personnel and their families, emphasizing the solemn obligation owed to those who wear the uniform.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter departed from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada on Tuesday night with its destination set for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego.
Local first responders were alerted about the incident early Wednesday morning. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office made efforts to dispatch a helicopter to initiate the search promptly. However, due to the severe weather conditions caused by the “atmospheric river” storm hitting the area, the helicopter was called off.
This incident occurred approximately two months after a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan in December. Tragically, all eight crew members aboard the Osprey lost their lives in that incident.
These recent events underscore the risks and challenges faced by military personnel during training and operational missions, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The loss of service members in such incidents is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the armed forces.