Five Marines traveling in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter of the Marine Corps have been declared dead this Thursday, after their aircraft suffered an accident while flying on Tuesday from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Miramar, in the coastal area of San Diego, California, according to authorities.
The aircraft was located on Wednesday in Pine Valley, but at that time the fate of its crew was not yet known, according to a statement from the Third Aircraft Wing of the Marine Corps, to which the soldiers belong.
A CH-53E Super Stallion lands at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on April 23, 2023, as part of the joint US-Philippine military exercise 'Balikatan'.JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images
“It is with deep regret and sadness that I share the news of the deaths of five outstanding Marines from the Third Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers' while conducting a training flight the night before,” said the General Michael J Borgschulte.
Additionally, Borgschulte reported that, as a matter of policy, “the identities of deceased service members are not revealed until 24 hours after all notifications to next of kin have been completed.”
The general assured that “efforts have begun to recover the remains of the marines and their equipment, and an investigation is underway.”
The CH-53E Super Stallion is a helicopter used to transport heavy vehicles, cargo and personnel, explained a statement from the 3rd Marine Helicopter Wing.
The Sheriff's Department deployed ground crews and one of its helicopters to the search, but they faced obstacles from adverse weather conditions, which even led to a rare tornado warning for the south-central county.
The warning, which was later lifted, included the Chula Vista, El Cajon and National City regions.
Another storm, weaker than those that have caused flooding in recent days, is expected to hit Southern California later in the week, before sunshine and 60ºF (15ºC) temperatures return to the urban coastline.