A military helicopter crashed in the mountains outside San Diego, leaving five Marines missing. Search and rescue teams have located the wreckage, but efforts to locate the service members continue. The incident occurred when the crew was returning from a training session in Nevada and was supposed to land at the third Marine aircraft wing out of Miramar.
The crash site was discovered on Wednesday morning, shortly after 9 a.m. The Marines were flying a CH-53 Echo Super Stallion helicopter, the largest in the U.S. military, during a routine training flight from Creech Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. However, the aircraft was reported overdue, prompting concerns and launching search efforts.
Unfortunately, rough weather conditions are hindering the search and rescue operations. Recent record storms in the area have made the mission more challenging, but officials remain determined to locate the missing service members.
The identities of the Marines on board the helicopter have not been disclosed at this time. They were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which operates out of Miramar. President Biden has been briefed on the situation, ensuring that the highest levels of government are aware of the ongoing search efforts.
This tragic incident follows another recent aviation incident that grounded the entire fleet of tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft for the past two months. The grounding was enforced after a fatal crash occurred off the coast of Japan. The Marine Corps has since been working diligently to assess and rectify any issues related to the Osprey fleet.
While the search for the missing Marines continues, the military community, along with their families and friends, anxiously awaits any updates or signs of their well-being. The Marine Corps and other agencies involved remain committed to employing all available resources to ensure a thorough search and rescue operation.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash unfolds, updates will be shared with the public. The safety and well-being of our service members are of utmost importance, and incidents like this only strengthen the dedication to improving aviation protocols and ensuring the highest standards of safety within the military.
