Five U.S. Marines are confirmed dead aboard a helicopter that crashed during a storm in the mountains outside San Diego, a Marine commander said Thursday.
It was the second fatal crash for Marines in Southern California involving a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, a heavy-lift helicopter, in the past six years. The Marines said an investigation into the latest crash is underway.
Authorities say the plane disappeared Tuesday night while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after a routine training mission at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada, northwest from Las Vegas. The helicopter was flying into dangerous weather in California, which had been inundated by three days of relentless rain.
“It is with great sadness and deep sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers,'” said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. . said in a statement.
The names of those killed will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin are notified, authorities said.
“To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and are committed to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time,” Borgschulte said. “While we understand the risks inherent in military service, any loss of life is always difficult.”
Those aboard the flight were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, according to the Marines.
In a statement, President Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden “extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we mourn the loss of five of the nation's greatest warriors.” our nation.” He also thanked the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol and other federal, state and local agencies for assisting in search and recovery efforts.
“Our service members represent the best of our nation, and these five Marines were no exception,” Biden said. “Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice, and reaffirm the sacred obligation we have to all those who wear the uniform and their families.”
As the Marines returned to their base Tuesday night, visibility was poor due to snow, rain and gusty winds, according to meteorologist Philip Gonsalves of the National Weather Service in San Diego. Those conditions would have been present for most of the night and into the morning, Gonsalves said.
The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near Pine Valley in the Cuyamaca Mountains, about an hour's drive from San Diego. The Marines said they have begun efforts to recover the remains of the five.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection received word about the missing helicopter at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday and began searching the Lake Morena area, but their efforts were hampered by heavy snow and mud, authorities said. .
In 2018, four Marines died in a helicopter crash 15 miles west of El Centro. The crew flew out of a base in Twentynine Palms as part of a training exercise April 3 in the same type of heavy-lift helicopter that was reported missing Wednesday, according to a 3rd Wing news release. Marine Plane.
Two years after the accident, the families of the four Marines sued the manufacturers that supplied parts to the military. A Marine Corps investigation into the crash ruled out pilot error and pointed to a bypass valve as the primary cause of the crash, media outlet Marine Corps Times reported when the lawsuit was filed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
