5 Marines Confirmed Dead In San Diego Helicopter Crash

SAN DIEGO, CA — Five Marines have been confirmed dead following a CH-53E helicopter crash Tuesday, officials confirmed Thursday.

The five dead were with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, officials said.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers' while conducting a training flight," Major General Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement Thursday.

Borgschulte continued: "These pilots and crewmembers 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. To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time."

The Marines' identities will not be released until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications have been made, officials said.

Efforts to recover the remains of the Marines and equipment have begun and an investigation is underway, according to officials.

"Though we understand the inherent risks of military service, any loss of life is always difficult," officials wrote. "The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing stands unwavering in its commitment to supporting the families, friends, and fellow service members of the fallen Marines."

The Marines had flown out of Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas and were headed to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. It has not been confirmed what time the helicopter left Creech nor what time they were due to arrive, though waves of heavy downpours hit the area throughout the night and snow was forecast for San Diego County mountains.

The helicopter was reported missing late Tuesday and found by authorities Wednesday in a remote area of San Diego County.

Civil authorities found the aircraft shortly after 9 a.m. in the mountainous area of Pine Valley, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which was leading the search.

About 99 feet long, the CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the military. It can move troops and equipment over rugged terrain in bad weather, including at night, according to the Marine Corps website. It is also nicknamed the “hurricane maker" because of the amount of downwash generated from its three engines.

There have been a number of deadly military plane and helicopter crashes in the region in recent years.

In 2022, an Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed in the desert in Imperial County, killing five Marines, including Capt. John J. Sax, the son of former Dodgers star Steve Sax. That crash came less than two years after eight Marines from Camp Pendleton and one Navy sailor were killed when an amphibious assault vehicle sank July 30, 2020 in the ocean near San Clemente Island.

A month after that, two soldiers were killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash during training on San Clemente Island.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.