Search for missing helicopter with five Marines on board in California

Search and rescue teams combed the snow-covered forests and hills east of San Diego on Wednesday after a military helicopter with five Marines on board was reported missing, authorities said.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department was notified after 1 a.m. local time that the helicopter, which was scheduled to land Tuesday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, had gone missing in the Pine Valley area, about 45 miles east of San Diego. Diego, Lt. Matthew Carpenter, a department spokesman, said.

The department's search and rescue units were on foot and in four-wheel drive vehicles assisting Marine and Civil Air Patrol teams that specialized in mountain searches, he said.

“The weather there is so bad, with snow and little cloud, that we couldn't get helicopters there,” he said.

A statement from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said the helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, airplanes which is used to transport heavy vehicles, cargo and personnel, was flying from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar when it was “reported late.”