The U.S. Marine Corps on Friday released the identities of five Marines killed when their helicopter crashed while flying from Nevada to California on a routine training mission.
They were Lance Corporals. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, Sgt. Captain Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho. Captain Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire; Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan;
All were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 16th Marine Aircraft Group, 3rd Marine Wing. They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter they were on went missing on Tuesday and was found in a remote, snowy area of Southern California on Wednesday.
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement that the crew was flying from Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, north of Las Vegas, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, “when the aircraft was reported to be delayed.”
The cause of the accident, which occurred as a winter storm brought days of heavy rain and snow to the San Diego area, is unknown.
Investigation is ongoing.
Davis, a helicopter crew chief, enlisted in 2019 and was promoted to corporal last month, the Marine Corps said. His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Langen, who is also a helicopter crew chief, joined the military in 2017. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and two Marine Corps Deployment Ribbons.
Moulton, Casey, and Nava were all pilots aboard the Super Stallion.
Moulton and Casey both commissioned in 2019 and received the National Defense Medal. Nava was commissioned in 2017 and received the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, and Sea Deployment Medal.
“We are facing a tragedy that is the greatest fear of every military family,” Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commander of HMH-361, said in a statement Friday.
“Our priority right now is to support the families of our fallen heroes and we ask for your respect and understanding as they grieve,” Harvey added. “The Flying His Tigers family stands strong and this includes the friends and community that supported our squadron during a challenging time.” We will get through this together. ”
The Marines have been using the powerful Super Stallions to transport heavy equipment, supplies and troops for more than 30 years, according to the Navy.
The plane had previously been under scrutiny due to repeated mechanical failures. In 2014, a Super Stallion carrying 25 military personnel crashed due to a catastrophic failure of one of the aircraft's engines, but all passengers survived.
And in 2018, a Super Stallion crashed during a training mission in Southern California, killing four Marines. A Marine Corps investigation determined the crash was caused by defective parts, according to a lawsuit filed by the Marine's family against the parts supplier and manufacturer.
The lawsuit was settled two years ago, said Dave Casey, a San Diego attorney representing the pilots. The settlement will be confidential.
Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte said in a statement that the five pilots and crew members involved in the crash “were fulfilling a mission greater than themselves and were proud of that mission.”
“We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service,” Borgschulte said.
President Joe Biden called the Marines “our nation's greatest warriors” in a statement Thursday.
“Our military members represent our nation's finest, and these five Marines were no exception,” he said.
