Military Plane That Crashed In MS Was Based At Stewart

NEWBURGH, NY — The Marine Corps military plane that crashed in Mississippi Monday was based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh. Sixteen people were killed in the crash. The KC-130T originated from Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, NC.

One Navy corpsman and 15 Marines were the crew on the aircraft. [Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts here.]

The names have not been released pending notification of family. The KC-130 was used for refueling. It spiraled and crashed into a soybean field in Itta Bena, MS.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, confirmed that some of the service members killed in the Mississippi plane crash were based out of Stewart.

“This loss is simply devastating,” Maloney said. “Over the years I have had the privilege of getting to know many of the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, especially those at Stewart — they are truly American heroes. These folks risk their lives in service of our country and to lose them in such a way is tragic.”

“My prayers are with the Navy Corpsman and the Marines who lost their lives, their loved ones and our entire community — we lost some of our best yesterday. Semper fi,” he said.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-NY, said the country's Armed Forces risk their lives every day, with this accident exemplifying the risks they take to serve their country.

“Today we mourn the loss of 16 true heroes and I extend my deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones. May they rest in peace,” he said.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, offer her condolences to the family members, friends, and fellow service members of the 16 members of our military who were on the plane.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure we have a thorough investigation into how this tragic accident occurred, and what we can do to prevent it from happening again,” she said.

Photo credit: Google Maps.