Five Marines missing in a helicopter crash in the mountains outside San Diego on Tuesday have been confirmed dead.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we lost five outstanding Marines from the 3rd Marine Wing and the Flying Tigers during a training flight,” said Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, Army commander. Told. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement.
“These pilots and crew members were on a mission greater than themselves, and they were proud of it. We will be forever grateful for their call to duty and selfless service,” he said. added.
The identity of the deceased Marine will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin is notified, per policy, the statement said.
The CH-53E Super Stallion disappeared late Tuesday while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after training at Creech Air Force Base outside Las Vegas.
The wreckage was discovered Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about an hour from San Diego.
The statement said efforts to recover the bodies of the five Marines and an investigation into the crash were ongoing.
