[Cecily]

So very sad. RIP, armed service members.

[txrefugee]

Do refueling planes normally carry so many people?

[wtd]

Quote from linked article:

"...a KC-130 “experienced a mishap”

**************

• UKDailyMail:President Trump and Melania tweet condolences over 'heartbreaking' crash after Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft loaded with ammunition explodes at 20,000 feet leaving 16 dead
• KC-130 military airplane, which is typically used as a refueling tanker, crashed outside of Greenwood in Mississippi on Monday afternoon
• Officials have recovered 16 bodies from the wreckage and are still searching the crash site
• The names of those killed have not been made public pending notification of family members
• An official with the Greenwood Airport said the plane suffered a structural failure at 20,000 feet
• A Mississippi State Trooper said: 'There's a lot of ammo in the plane' and officials found debris on both sides of Highway 82 in Leflore County
• The Lockheed KC-130 may have come from the Naval Support Activity Mid-South Base located in Millington

  **************

  Tthe FBI is assisting on the scene as well. National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson said the NTSB is not involved in the investigation at this time since it's a military aircraft.

  **************

  10:09 a.m. update via Tennessean.com

  The Marine aircraft that crashed Monday evening was a KC-130T from Marine Aerial Refueling and Transport Squadron (VMGR) 452, Marine Air Group-49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, according to a press release sent out Tuesday morning.

  "The flight originated from Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., as the squadron was supporting a requirement to transport personnel and equipment from there to Naval Air Field El Centro, Calif," the release stated.

  The crew consisted of 15 Marines and one Navy Corpsman. Equipment on board included various small arms ammunition and personal weapons. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is at the scene as a precaution in the interest of safety, according to the release.

[LibWhacker]

A witness said some bodies were found more than a mile from the crash site.

Were they jumping out of the plane or something?

[CivilWarBrewing]

This crash has me perplexed. 'Structural failure' could be the result of an explosion, cargo shift of ammo, fuel line leak, static spark, intentional discharge of a weapon, structural stress on an old aircraft due to weight of cargo, or a myriad of other possibilities.

I realize there are load masters, etc., but overloading of this aircraft with too much weight (ammo) seems a possibility. I hope there were no Maj. Hasans aboard.

[wita]

The final report on this accident will be very interesting should we be privileged to see it. There are very few in flight structural issues, or explosions on cargo type aircraft.

[Bigg Red]

Prayers.

[Uncle Sam 911]

I pray that the families and friends of these heroes will be wrapped in the arms of God and find strength to face the terrible days ahead. Another installment on the pay for freedom plan.

[petitfour]

This plane was carrying the best of the best! Marines Secial Forces. The kind of men who do not seek glory. Why did they blow up over Mississippi?

And all anyone wants to talk about is Russia Russia Russia. Hmm.

[PghBaldy]

Oddest thing is how the govt & the media are barely acknowledging this disaster. Something is up.