Helicopter crashes in California, 5 US Marines confirmed dead

US President Joe Biden said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of service members. (representative)

Angels:

Five U.S. service members missing after a helicopter crashed in Southern California this week have been confirmed dead, the Marine Corps said Thursday.

The military said the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed Tuesday while flying from Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I share the deepest friendship with the five outstanding Marines of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Flying Tigers,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Bergschulte, commander of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Killed during a training flight,” it said in a statement.

The Marine Corps said efforts to recover the remains of the crash victims have begun and the investigation is ongoing.

President Joe Biden said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of service members.

“We are saddened by the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors and extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadrons and the United States Marine Corps,” the president said in a statement.

“Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice and reaffirm our sacred obligation to all who wear the uniform and their families.”

U.S. military aircraft have been involved in a series of accidents over the past year, including the crash of a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft off the coast of Japan in late November, killing eight pilots.

Earlier that month, five U.S. service members were killed when a helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean during a training exercise, while in August another Osprey crash in Australia killed three Marines.

In April, three military personnel were killed and one injured when two helicopters returning from a training mission in remote Alaska collided.

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