5 Marines confirmed dead after military helicopter crash in California

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Thursday that five Marines onboard a helicopter that vanished Tuesday en route to California from Nevada have died.

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Officials began searching for the five on Wednesday after their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was “reported overdue” from a trip to California’s Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The helicopter had left Creech Air Force Base in Nevada on Tuesday.

Marines confirmed dead

Update 8:10 a.m. EST Feb. 8: The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing announced Thursday that the five Marines missing after their helicopter vanished Tuesday in California have died.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from the (3rd) Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight last night,” Maj. Gen Michael Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement dated Wednesday.

“These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.”

Officials said they will not release the Marines’ names until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications have been made.

“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,” Borgschulte said.

Authorities were working Thursday to recover the remains of the Marines.

Helicopter found; Marines still missing

Update 1:10 p.m. EST Feb. 7: Officials with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed that officials found the aircraft, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, in Pine Valley just after 9 a.m. Wednesday. However, the Marines remained missing.

Authorities did not identify the Marines except to say that they were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The five went missing during a routine training flight Tuesday from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California.

“The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is managing search and rescue efforts through the Wing Operations Command Center and using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies,” officials said in a news release.

Original report: Authorities launched a search early Wednesday for a military helicopter carrying five U.S. Marines that vanished in California.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department told KGTV that they got a call for assistance from the Marine Corps. around 2 a.m. after a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was “reported overdue.” Cal Fire told the news station that they also responded, checking the helicopter’s last known position in the Cleveland National Forest, without success.

The helicopter was reported missing as the region continues to grapple with the impact of an atmospheric river storm that is drenching Southern California, ABC News reported. KGTV described the conditions in the Cleveland National Forest as “cold and snowy” on Wednesday.

Officials told KNSD that the Marines onboard are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. They were flying from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, but didn’t arrive as expected Tuesday, the news station reported.

Officials continue to investigate.

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Atmospheric river hits California, brings heavy rain, wind Sand blows as as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, impacts California on February 4, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. The storm is delivering potential for widespread flooding, landslides and power outages while dropping heavy rain and snow across the region. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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