(Scypre.com) – The tragic event that unfolded over the past few days has culminated in a somber confirmation from the U.S. Marine Corps: the five Marines who vanished following a helicopter crash during a routine training exercise have been declared deceased. This devastating news comes after intense search and recovery efforts that spanned more than a day in the wake of the accident.
The incident began to unfold late Tuesday when a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, carrying the Marines, failed to return to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar as scheduled. The aircraft had taken off from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas, heading towards the San Diego area, before it was reported overdue, sparking immediate concern for the safety of those onboard.
In response to the situation, a comprehensive search operation was mobilized. The U.S. Marine Corps, in coordination with local authorities, including the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, launched efforts to locate the missing helicopter and its crew. The sheriff’s department disclosed that it was alerted to the situation in the early hours, around 1:50 a.m., and promptly dispatched a helicopter to assist in the search. However, the severe weather conditions, characterized by a powerful atmospheric river storm, hindered aerial search efforts. This led to the deployment of off-road vehicles by the sheriff’s department, tasked with navigating the challenging terrain under adverse weather conditions.
The missing helicopter was eventually located on Wednesday morning, at 9:08 a.m., marking a grim discovery that shifted the mission towards recovery. The Marine Corps, in a statement released on Thursday, announced that efforts are currently underway to recover the remains of the five Marines, while an investigation into the crash has been initiated to determine the precise cause of this tragic incident.
The loss of these Marines has resonated deeply within the community and across the nation. President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow over the incident, acknowledging the routine nature of the training mission and extending his heartfelt condolences to the families, squadron, and colleagues of the deceased Marines. The President commended the swift and professional response of the search and recovery teams, including the contributions of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the Civil Air Patrol, and other agencies involved in the operation.
Echoing the sentiments of a grieving nation, Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, in his statement, honored the service and sacrifice of the fallen Marines. He extended profound sympathies to their families, assuring them of the Marine Corps’ unwavering support during this incredibly difficult time.