Posted on 03/13/2015 6:18:14 PM PDT by Nachum
ATLANTA — Before a military helicopter disappeared into a thick bank of fog off the Florida coast, killing all 11 servicemen aboard, military officials had conducted an “operational risk assessment” and determined that the weather was safe enough to fly in, Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, said Friday.
But once the two helicopters participating in the Tuesday evening exercise were aloft, a decision was made to turn back, General Osterman said. And only one helicopter made it back.
The details of the Black Hawk helicopter’s final flight were disclosed at a news conference at Special Operations Command headquarters at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where the names of the seven Marines aboard the aircraft were also released. Among them was Staff Sgt. Andrew C. Seif, 26, of Holland, Mich., who was named “Marine of the Year” by the U.S.O. in 2013. Continue reading the main story Related Coverage
Hope of Finding Survivors in Army Helicopter Crash FadesMARCH 12, 2015
Four days before the crash, Sergeant Seif was awarded the Silver Star for carrying out a daring and deadly assault on a notorious bomb maker in Afghanistan. The Silver Star is the Armed Forces’ third-highest decoration for heroism.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
They gave a more detailed account of the Marines and Soldiers today and I was surprised at what a fine bunch of men they were. Also a handsome group not that, that is important.
I thought Hugh Hewitt was saying they leave behind 30 children, all had kids.
Over water zero illum night, I never did like that to much, particularly doing dopplers.
Staff Sgt. Kerry M. Kemp, 27, of Port Washington, Wis.
My son went to school with him. Prayers for all the families.
Crap. Prayers up.
I am very sorry and know everything cannot be a set up, but reallllly bothers me that so many Men of High standing keep being killed.
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