Five U.S. Marine Corps service members with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the “Flying Tigers,” were killed when their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed en route to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.
The helicopter was with the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW), headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar), and had departed Creech Air Force Base in Nevada on Tuesday. The helicopter crashed in a remote area in the Cleveland National Forest near Pine Valley, California, after it flew into a winter storm.
3rd MAW posted a press release on X this morning, saying, “Update: The five 3rd MAW Marines have been confirmed deceased. ‘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.’ -Maj. Gen. Borgschulte, 3rd MAW Commanding General”
The U.S. Marine Corps added: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathy and support to the families and friends of the Marines who are now confirmed deceased in [Tuesday’s] CH-53E mishap.” The crash on Tuesday is the most recent CH-53E crash resulting in fatalities; another CH-53E, also with the 3rd MAW, crashed near El Centro, California, in 2018, killing four Marines.
President Biden made the following statement in a White House press release:
Jill and I are heartbroken at the loss of five U.S. Marines, whose aircraft crashed while flying from Nevada to California during a routine training mission. 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. I am deeply grateful to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol, and other federal, state, and local agencies for their professionalism and dedication in supporting search and recovery efforts.
Our service members represent the very best of our nation — and these five Marines were no exception. Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice — and reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families.
