Tragically, the hunt for the five U.S. Marines who vanished when their helicopter crashed in bad weather have come to an end. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the Marines, who were aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, have been found dead.
The incident occurred during a routine flight between Nevada and California on Tuesday night. The helicopter, en route from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, went down in a mountainous area near Pine Valley, California. Despite search teams locating the crashed chopper early Wednesday morning, adverse weather conditions, including heavy snow, hampered efforts to reach the aircraft on the ground.
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expressed profound sadness over the loss, stating, “It is with a heavy heart… that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines… To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.”
Out of respect for the families, the names of the deceased Marines were withheld in accordance with protocol until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications were completed. Efforts to recover the remains of the Marines and equipment have commenced, alongside an investigation into the crash.
