By Melissa Chan -
NBC News
The Marine Corps on Friday released the identities of the five Marines who died after their helicopter crashed while flying from Nevada to California during a routine training mission.
They are Latin Captain Miguel Nava, 28, Corporal Donovan Davis, 21;
Sergeant Alec Langen, 23, and Captains Benjamin Moulton, 27, and Jack Casey, 26.
All were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
Rescue teams at the crash site of a helicopter carrying five Marines near San Diego, California, on February 8, 2024. Denis Poroy / AP
The helicopter they were traveling in, a CH-53E Super Stallion, went missing on Tuesday and was found on Wednesday in a remote, snow-covered area in Southern California.
The crew was flying from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, north of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, “when the plane was reported delayed,” the 3rd Aircraft Wing said. of the Navy in a statement.
It is unclear what caused the crash, which occurred as a winter storm brought days of heavy rain and snow to the San Diego area.
An investigation is ongoing.