Five Marines who went missing while traveling aboard a helicopter from Nevada to California have been found dead, officials said on Thursday morning.
Officials said Thursday that Marines were conducting a training session for exercise and flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.
The last-known location of the helicopter was reported at around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday and was reported at around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, by to the Marine Corps.
The crashed helicopter was found in a mountainous, uneven area east of San Diego at around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, officials said. Search and rescue crews and federal and local agencies looked for the missing Marines, but the rain and snow lashed the area.
The weather conditions complicate further the search efforts, as the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said that heavy cloud cover early Wednesday morning prevented us from deploying the helicopter.
The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Border Patrol also took part in the search effort, as the area where the helicopter crashed is close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The five Marines were allocated to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Marine Corps said.
Their identities can not be shared as part of a standard military procedure to not identify deceased service members until 24 hours after all next-of-kin notifications have been made.
Such notifications were made in person on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Marine Col. James Ford said during a Thursday news conference.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the “Flying Tigers” while conducting a training flight last night,” said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a statement provided to CBS News.
“These pilots and crew members 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. 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.”
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