The U.S. Marines Corps reported on Thursday that five US Marines have been confirmed deceased when their helicopter went down during a training trip during a strong winter storm in a remote area south of San Diego.
The Marine Corps reported in a statement that their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down on Tuesday night en route to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California, in Pine Valley, a steep, isolated area east of the city.
After the Marines and local officials conducted a search and rescue operation, the crew members’ remains were discovered.
Major General Michael Borgschulte said in the statement, “I share the loss of five outstanding Marines with a heavy heart and profound sadness.”
First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden expressed their “heartbreak at the loss” in a statement to the families of the five Marines.
The Corps stated that it would not release the crew members’ names until after notifying their relatives.
The helicopter took off Tuesday night from Nevada’s Creech Air Force Base, some 40 miles (60 km) northwest of Las Vegas, and traveled west through snowy and rainy conditions. It was believed to be past due after almost eight hours.
What caused the crash was unknown. The Marines declared that an inquiry was in progress.
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