5 Marines Aboard Helicopter that Crashed Near San Diego Confirmed Deceased

Authorities confirmed that five U.S. Marines who were aboard a military helicopter that crashed in the mountains near San Diego have been discovered deceased, as announced on Thursday.

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was reported absent Tuesday evening during a “standard training mission” from Creech Air Force Base, situated northwest of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, as per the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

“It is with a heavy heart and a profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines,” Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expressed in a statement.  “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.”

The aviation wing reported that efforts to retrieve the remains of the Marines and equipment have commenced, and an inquiry is in progress. The identities of the Marines will not be disclosed until 24 hours following the completion of all next-of-kin notifications. The reason for the crash remains undetermined.

President Joe Biden, in a statement, conveyed that he and first lady Jill Biden are “heartbroken” by the Marines’ demise.

“As the Department of Defense continues to assess what occurred, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors,” Biden said. “Our service members represent the very best of our nation and these five Marines were no exception.”

Helicopter found in Pine Valley during intense snowfall

Local, state, and federal authorities initiated a search early Wednesday and located the helicopter in Pine Valley, California, approximately 45 miles east of San Diego, shortly after 9 a.m. The status of the aircraft has not been disclosed, nor has the departure time from Nevada or the scheduled arrival time at the San Diego base.

The most recent communication with the helicopter occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Capt. Mike Cornette, who informed CBS 8 news. The helicopter’s position was determined based on a “ping” received by a Cal Fire dispatch center.

Severe conditions and intense snowfall from a significant storm that struck California this week posed challenges for rescue teams to reach the area, as reported by Cal Fire and the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The storm battered the area with unprecedented rainfall starting over the weekend and continuing through Tuesday, the scheduled arrival time for the helicopter in San Diego. Additionally, the atmospheric river storm brought substantial snowfall to the mountains in the region.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) Unit, Cal Fire San Diego, and the U.S. Forest Service, participated in the extensive search operation. Vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were utilized to navigate the challenging landscape.

In Graphics: Missing Marines found in maps, graphics

Diagram: CH-53E Super Stallion

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