https://news.usni.org/2024/02/07/marines-searching-for-missing-helo-with-5-aboard-last-seen-over-california-forestMarines Searching for Missing Helo with 5 Aboard, Last Seen Over California Forest
SAM LAGRONE
FEBRUARY 7, 2024 9:48 AM
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, flies from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to MCAS Yuma during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation as part of Exercise Steel Knight 23.2, over Calif., Dec. 2, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo
The Marine Corps is searching for five Marines who were aboard a heavy-lift helicopter that went missing late Tuesday night, service officials told USNI News.
The CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 361, departed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., on Tuesday and was bound for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., according to a statement from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing provided to USNI News.
After the Super Stallion was overdue, the Marines began a search for the missing helicopter.
“The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol. The most up-to-date information will be released as it becomes available,” reads the statement provided to USNI News.
Local station ABC 10 reported that the Marines asked for help from local officials just after 2 a.m. local time and that the aircraft’s last known location was over the Cleveland National Forest near Pine Valley, Calif. The search was limited due to weather, according to the station.
The following is the complete statement from 3rd MAW.
The U.S. Marine Corps is searching for five U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Feb. 6, 2024, when the aircraft was reported overdue. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol. The most up-to-date information will be released as it becomes available.
