Accident – Death – Obituary News :

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

The Marine Corps has released the names of the five Marines who tragically lost their lives when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in the mountains outside San Diego amidst a historic storm. All of the brave Marines were in their 20s, serving with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron, expressed the profound grief and devastation felt by the entire Flying Tigers family. “We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” he said. “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.”

The Marine Corps has revealed the identities of the fallen heroes, each of whom had a promising future ahead. The youngest Marine was Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, a 21-year-old from Olathe, Kansas, who had recently been promoted to the rank of lance corporal on New Year’s Day. The oldest among them was Capt. Miguel Nava, a 28-year-old from Traverse City, Michigan.

Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis and Sgt. Alec Langen, a 23-year-old from Chandler, Arizona, served as crew chiefs on the ill-fated helicopter. The remaining Marines were all CH-53E pilots, including Capt. Jack Casey, a 26-year-old from Dover, New Hampshire, and Capt. Benjamin Moulton, a 27-year-old from Emmett, Idaho.

Heartbroken family members are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Caryn Langen, Sgt. Alec Langen’s mother, expressed her deep sorrow when she told KNSD-TV of San Diego, “We will miss him dearly.”

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went missing late Tuesday night during its return journey from Creech Air Force Base to Miramar. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered on Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley.

Col. James C. Ford, operations officer with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, confirmed on Thursday that all five Marines had perished in the helicopter crash during severe weather conditions. Efforts are currently underway to recover their remains, a process that will likely take weeks due to the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather. In adherence to the Marine ethos of never leaving any Marine behind, fellow Marines are maintaining a constant presence with the remains.

An investigation is currently in progress to determine the cause of the tragic crash.

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