Five Marines have died in a helicopter crash in California, the military says
The Marine Corps confirmed Thursday that five Marines were killed in Tuesday's helicopter crash east of San Diego.
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's announcement came after a search and rescue operation located the helicopter Wednesday in Pine Valley, about 45 miles east of San Diego. But the military did not confirm the deaths of the Marines on board until early Thursday.
The Marines were flying from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego for a routine training flight when the plane, a CH-53E Super Stallion, was reported “overdue.”
Search teams, including the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the Civil Air Patrol, scoured the region Wednesday in bad weather, including snow and low clouds, said Lt. Matthew Carpenter, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department.
Work continued Thursday to recover the Marines' remains and equipment, the military said. The Marines were not identified. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash and an investigation was underway, the statement said.
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, the wing's commanding general, said in his statement that he shared the news of the fatalities with “a heavy heart and deep sadness” and extended his condolences to the families of the Marines.
President Biden said in a statement from the White House that he and the first lady, Jill Biden, were “heartbroken” over the loss.
“As the Department of Defense continues to assess what happened, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron and the United States Marine Corps as we mourn the loss of five of our nation's finest warriors,” he said.
The Marines on board were part of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, which is used to transport heavy loads such as vehicles, cargo and personnel used by the Marine Corps since 1981. There were 136 still in operation in 2021.
The Super Stallion, one of the largest and heaviest helicopters flown by the U.S. military, has been involved in several crashes during training and war.
Twelve Marines were killed in 2016 two CH-53E helicopters collided off the coast of Hawaii. In 2002, two Marines were killed and five injured when their helicopter crashed in the mountains of Afghanistan while transporting supplies for U.S. troops. In 2005, a CH-53E crashed in western Iraq, killing 30 Marines and one sailor.
In 1987, a CH-53E crashed while practicing night landings in California, killing five Marines. In 1996, four civilian employees from the manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Co. killed when a CH-53E crashed during a test flight in Connecticut.
The aircraft, no longer in production, underwent a period of upgrades and was replaced by a newer version, the CH-53K King Stallion.
“As the Marine Corps investigates this deadly crash, it is another reminder that our selfless service members at home and around the world risk their lives every day to keep our country safe,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. .Austin III. issued a statement Thursday about the five Marines who died in California.
Erik Schmitt reporting contributed.