“Marine Corps Identifies Five Marines Killed in San Diego Helicopter Crash During Historic Storm”

– Marines killed in helicopter crash
– Troops in their 20s.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : SAN DIEGO — The Marine Corps has publicly identified the five Marines who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash during a historic storm in the mountains outside San Diego. The fallen Marines, all in their 20s, were members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and were stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The squadron’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, expressed the heartbreak the entire unit is feeling, stating, “We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear. The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together.”

Among the fallen Marines was Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, from Olathe, Kansas. Tragically, Davis had been promoted to the rank of lance corporal on New Year’s Day. The oldest Marine who lost his life in the crash was Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, from Traverse City, Michigan.

Capt. Nava was a distinguished graduate of Comstock Park High School near Grand Rapids. The school district expressed their grief and admiration for him, stating, “Miguel dedicated his time to help, mentor, guide, encourage, and support Comstock Park students… There is no greater example of what it means to be a Panther than Miguel.”

Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, from Chandler, Arizona, and Davis were both crew chiefs. The remaining Marines were CH-53E pilots—Capt. Jack Casey, 26, from Dover, New Hampshire, and Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, from Emmett, Idaho. The loss of these brave servicemen has left a void in the hearts of their families, friends, and fellow Marines.

The Super Stallion helicopter went missing late Tuesday night while returning from Creech Air Force Base to Miramar. The wreckage was discovered on Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley. The military has confirmed that all five Marines lost their lives in the crash, which occurred during stormy weather.

Col. James C. Ford, the operations officer with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, highlighted the challenges faced in recovering the remains of the fallen Marines due to the treacherous terrain and inclement weather. He stated that the recovery efforts could take several weeks. In the meantime, Marines are stationed with the remains round-the-clock, adhering to their ethos of never leaving any Marine behind.

The military has initiated an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the tragic accident.

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– Marines killed in helicopter crash
– Identified troops in their 20s from Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego.