Five U.S. Marines Confirmed Dead in California Helicopter Crash

breitbart ^ | 2/8/2024 | simon kent

[bitt]

Five U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) members aboard a helicopter that went missing on a flight from Nevada to California were confirmed dead Thursday morning.

A search-and-rescue operation was launched for the CH-53E Super Stallion after it was “reported overdue” on Wednesday, as Breitbart News reported.

The heavy-lift cargo helicopter was on a training flight from a Nevada Air Force base to an air station near San Diego.

The crew was flying in an historic storm that dumped snow and rain across California, conditions that also hampered search and rescue efforts.

It was later found in the snow-covered California mountains – about 45 miles from its destination.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers,'” Maj Gen Michael J Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement on Thursday.

[xone]

It was only a ‘historic storm’ near the destination, could have diverted to March AFB, NAS El Centro, or even Holtville. Bad judgement by the aircraft commander (HAC).

[xone]

People in charge will be canned for approving this

Person responsible has already paid for this, sadly took 4 others with him.

[5inch38gunner]

Looks like they were just following i8 home over the mountains. Visual flight rules and ran out of air space.

[Silentgypsy]

We need to get the subversives out of the service.

[xone]

Could be, still in icing conditions, plenty opportunity to rethink and divert. VFR @ Night in rough terrain is another problem unless they had NVGs, but then snow and NVGs don't mix well either. 'Road to Abilene'