The United States Marine Corps has released the names of the five Marines who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash during a storm in the mountains near San Diego on Tuesday.
The announcement was made by the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Kansas, and Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Arizona, who served as Crew Chiefs. The helicopter pilots, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Idaho; Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of New Hampshire; and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Michigan, were also on board the ill-fated CH-53E Super Stallion and perished in the crash.
Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. "We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service familys worst fear," he said. Harvey emphasized that the primary focus now is to support the families of the fallen Marines and requested respect and understanding during their time of grief. "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," he added.
The CH-53E Super Stallion, the largest helicopter in the military, had left Creech Air Force Base in Nevada and was heading to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego when the accident occurred. The last known contact with the helicopter was around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, amidst heavy rain and snowfall in the region. Despite being designed to fly in adverse weather conditions, even at night, the helicopter crashed during a routine flight training exercise. The exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Local first responders were alerted about the incident early Wednesday morning. The San Diego Sheriff's Office attempted to dispatch a helicopter to initiate the search immediately, but the aircraft was called off due to the severe "atmospheric river" storm in the area.
Lt. Col. Harvey revealed that the deceased Marines had been awarded various honors. Davis, who enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 3, 2019, and was promoted to Lance Corporal on Jan. 1, 2023, had received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Langen, who enlisted on Sept. 14, 2017, and was promoted to Sergeant on Oct. 1, 2022, had been decorated with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Moulton, who was commissioned into the Marine Corps on March 29, 2019, and promoted to Captain on Aug. 1, 2023, had received the National Defense Service Medal. Casey, commissioned on May 16, 2019, and promoted to Captain on Sept. 1, 2023, had also received the National Defense Service Medal. Nava, commissioned on May 26, 2017, and promoted to Captain on Nov. 1, 2021, had been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
This tragic incident follows another military aviation accident that occurred approximately two months ago when a U.S. Air Force Osprey crashed off the coast of Japan in December, resulting in the death of all eight crew members on board.
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