A post from Reddit:
<< “I wasn’t Helos but I was an F18 mech for 5 years. I can tell you for a fact that there are many many factors playing into the failure of our AC. To list a few; aging platforms, lack of parts, requirements for training hours, desire for squadrons to make the most hours so they look the best, lack of knowledge of maintainers. I was a Sgt. CDQAR/CDI/Turnqual/PC and I can tell you that at least half of my guys were incompetent in most areas of the job and I tried to train them when I could and utilize them where I know they would be successful but you can only do so much. On top of that, more than half of the marines above me were completely out of touch. I’ve personally witnessed the CANNing of 25 year old CONSUMABLE parts (O-rings, check valves, gaskets) from down aircraft to make other jets mission ready merely for training. The Wing is extremely dangerous and complacency runs rampant. I’ve seen cases in units where entire panels were left off of jets and missed by PCs the pilot, and the final checkers and the only person who noticed it was the pilots wing man while the affected jet was breaking formation DURING the flight. As with the majority of jobs in the military, the best guys tend to get out because they know their worth, and the less skilled stay in cause they’ve got nothing better going. This leads to incompetence at the leadership levels when those dudes get promoted and shit rolls down hill. Obviously this isn’t always the case but it does seem to be trending across all fields, aviation included.” >>
Here is the Marine Corps subreddit if anyone has an interest in that arena:
https://www.reddit.com/r/USMC/s/CPB7zipcSS
Following up with USMC helo.’s deceased aircrew roster. RIP
EXCERPT:
Military officials have identified the five Marines killed in a helicopter crash Tuesday that occurred during stormy weather in San Diego’s East County.
They have been identified as:
Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.
Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
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5 Marines killed in helicopter crash in San Diego’s East County identified