This post has been updated with an additional statement from the 3rd Marine Air Wing.
The Marine Corps is searching for five Marines who were aboard a heavy-lift helicopter that went missing late Tuesday night, service officials told USNI News.
The CH-53E Super Stallion, assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 361, departed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., on Tuesday and was bound for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., according to a statement from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing provided to USNI News.
“The aircraft was located by civil authorities in Pine Valley, California, at 9:08 AM PST on February 7, 2024. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is managing search and rescue efforts through the Wing Operations Command Center and using ground and aviation assets to locate the aircrew in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and multiple federal, state and local agencies,” reads a Wednesday afternoon statement.
After the Super Stallion was overdue, the Marines began a search for the missing helicopter.
“The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol. The most up-to-date information will be released as it becomes available,” reads the statement provided to USNI News.
Local station ABC 10 reported that the Marines asked for help from local officials just after 2 a.m. local time and that the aircraft’s last known location was over the Cleveland National Forest near Pine Valley, Calif. The search was limited due to weather, according to the station.
The following is the complete statement from 3rd MAW.
The U.S. Marine Corps is searching for five U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Feb. 6, 2024, when the aircraft was reported overdue. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol. The most up-to-date information will be released as it becomes available.
