Posted on 02/07/2024 10:25:57 AM PST by V_TWIN
I’m with you. not enough info.
OIf fatalities are involved I wouldn’t expect that to be shared by the authorities until next of kin have been notified.
Rain storms aren’t a big concern for an all weather rated helicopter, and pilot. In such a case, the pilot would’ve filed an instrument flight plan, and been under positive radar control throughout. Thunderstorms on the other hand...
I remember the first time I climbed up working on an engine and realized I was almost 30 feet off the ground. Didn't use safety harnesses back then.
Prayers up for the crew.
If one needs more proof that we don’t respect journalists any more because they cannot even report what Captain Obvious would report. As is mentioned by other astute readers...was the copter crashed? Are there bodies? What a joke our media has become. Would a group of journalists been on that aircrafter rather than folks we respect: Marines.
Thanks for this.
“Flying Tigers” A further detail about the aircrew.
EXCERPT:
The Marines had reportedly been assigned to the “Flying Tigers,” a crew part of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/breaking-military-helicopter-crash-hunt-32070348
A wordier story, but same insufficient information.
BTW I didn’t mean that it was better than yours. I meant it was much better than the ABC story.
Excellent question.
Prayers up for the marines onboard.
I’ve backpacked the Pacific Crest Trail through this area and camped in Fred Canyon.
Latest report narrowing down the location.
EXCERPT:
Cal Fire San Diego crews on three fire engines and an ambulance launched a search north of Interstate 8 and east of Kitchen Creek Road near Fred Canyon in the early morning hours Wednesday based on the helicopter’s last known location, Cal Fire spokesman Mike Cornette told the San Diego Union- Tribune.
Mt Laguna is 6,000’ in elevation and is somewhat in the area, probably being to the N/NE of the suspected last known ping location.
EXCERPT:
Early Wednesday morning, there was heavy precipitation in the area where officials received the last ping of the missing helicopter at 5,300 feet, where some snow was accumulating. There is anywhere from 6 to 10 inches of snow accumulation, with even more on the way.
https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/missing-marines-helicopter-squadron-las-vegas-san-diego
.@CALFIRESANDIEGO firefighters are assisting with search efforts for a military helicopter reported missing in the area north of Interstate 8 & Kitchen Creek Road, located southeast of Pine Valley. Multiple agencies are searching the area covered in snow making it hard to access. pic.twitter.com/Y3oxNz75Pg— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) February 7, 2024
Depends on how bad the rain and flooding were at the time. If they crashed and didn't survive and there was flooding, the bodies could be anywhere the floodwaters could have taken them.
Wouldn’t have been the first aircraft to go down in that area due to a Pacific storm with heavy winds and probable icing conditions. A better route may have been the Banning pass area then WSW to the I-15 corridor to Miramar. Still very dicey for a low flyer in that weather.
The flight should have waited for better weather.
No worries FRiend.
The reporting or lack thereof is disconcerting to all of us interested in the facts surrounding this downed helo.
Using the terms finding the aircraft and searching for the aircrew is disjointed at best.
A Twitter comment contained a question to the first responders out of San Diego.
<><><>
“Was this Tiger02?”
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Obviously, if there are fatalities, there would be a media embargo until next of kin are notified.
A WSJ article that had a paywall also had an audio of the story that could be listened to without compensation. I listened to it and a USMC PAO officer, was quoted reporting in a very generic manner and the WSJ author noted that the Marine Corps did not state the condition of the found helo.
The comment below, pulled from the article, seems straight forward and unambiguous. It would leave me to believe that there are indeed survivors and give hope to the families of these Marines.
“but a search and rescue operation continues for five missing Marines on board,”
EXCERPT:
A missing military helicopter was found in Southern California Wednesday morning, but a search and rescue operation continues for five missing Marines on board, the U.S. Marine Corps said.
“Open source flight information reviewed by Military.com showed a CH-53 Super Stallion having previously operated under the call sign Tiger 11 flying west from El Centro, California; its last known location, according to the flight tracker, was recorded late Tuesday night and in the vicinity of the reported discovery site.
The Marines are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in California. Their nickname is the Flying Tigers.”
freepersup:
I am posting the following repeating (reported) facts as they lend credibility to the USMC helo. crew being alive and actively searched for, as opposed to being found physically inside a crashed hulk of wreckage.
<><><>
A missing military helicopter was found in Southern California Wednesday morning, but a search and rescue operation continues for five missing Marines on board, the U.S. Marine Corps said.
A US military helicopter that vanished has been found in a mountainous area – but without the five Marines it was carrying.
A missing helicopter carrying five U.S. Marines has been found by civil authorities in Southern California, the U.S. Marine Corps announced Wednesday.
The search still continues for the Marines onboard the aircraft. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is managing search and rescue efforts near Pine Valley, California, in San Diego County.
The downed Marine helicopter found in California on Wednesday was built to withstand all kinds of weather.
Authorities are still searching for the five US Marines that were aboard the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.
Rescue crews are searching for five US Marines after finding their military helicopter in Southern California’s Pine Valley, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said Wednesday.
The US Marine’s helicopter that went missing while flying five US Marines to California has been found, with authorities confirming that a search and rescue mission is underway.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing posted the following statement on X: “The US Marine Corps is searching for five U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
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