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US military helicopter crashes in California – reports 4 crew ‘presumed dead’ after largest US helicopter CH-53E crashes on training mission in California
(35 minutes later)
A US Marine Corps helicopter has had an “incident” while flying over Plaster City, California, the US Navy has confirmed, releasing no immediate details on casualties. Four US servicemen are presumed dead after a Marine Corps helicopter crashed over California during a routine training mission.
“We are currently still responding to what we have confirmed as a single helicopter incident. We ask that you continue to be patient with us as the situation unfolds,” Naval Air Facility El Centro said in a Facebook post.
The incident, involving a single helicopter, occurred just north of Plaster City at around 2:35pm local time on Tuesday. The US military quickly dispatched fire and security units along with other helicopters, to conduct a search and rescue operation. A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down at approximately 2:35 pm local time in the vicinity of El Centro, during a "routine training mission."
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brave service members and their families affected by this incident,” Kristopher Haugh, public affairs officer for NAF El Centro, was quoted as saying by KYMA local TV station. “We are thankful for the efforts of all who have responded to the scene and provided assistance,” he added, without specifying if any casualties resulted from the incident. At the time of the incident, four crew members were onboard the chopper, which belongs to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Following an extensive search and rescue mission over the crash site, the Marine Corps confirmed that "the status of all four is presumed dead pending positive identification" of the bodies discovered.
While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the military helicopter crash to News 11 via email, NAF El Centro has yet to release more information on the incident. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The investigation into the fatal accident remains ongoing, the statement added.
According to the information obtained by a local news outlet, Desert Review, the aircraft involved was a US Marine corps CH-53E, the largest and heaviest helicopter in the US military. Dubbed the Super Stallion, the Sikorsky CH-53E can carry up to 60 troops and crew, although there has been no word so far on how many personnel may have been on board during the accident. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the brave service members and their families affected by this incident,” Kristopher Haugh, public affairs officer for NAF El Centro, was quoted as saying by local TV station KYMA. “We are thankful for the efforts of all who have responded to the scene and provided assistance,” he added.
READ MORE: 2 pilots killed in helicopter crash as US military records 1st fatalities of 2018
Tuesday's helicopter incident is not the first over US territory this year. In January, two US army pilots were killed after their AH-64 Apache chopper crashed during a training exercise over the Californian desert.Tuesday's helicopter incident is not the first over US territory this year. In January, two US army pilots were killed after their AH-64 Apache chopper crashed during a training exercise over the Californian desert.
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