Five Marines confirmed dead after helicopter vanished near San Diego

The five Marines who vanished when their helicopter went down in the mountains outside San DIego Tuesday have been confirmed dead.

“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’ while conducting a training flight,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, wrote in a statement.

“These pilots and crew members were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service,” he added.

The identities of the fallen Marines will not be released until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, per policy, the statement read.

The CH-53E Super Stallion disappeared late Tuesday while returning to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar following training at Creech Air Force Base outside Las Vegas.

The wreckage was found Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about an hour away from San Diego.
Efforts to recover the remains of the five Marines and an investigation into the crash are both ongoing, the statement noted.