The Marine Corps has identified the five Marines who died after a CH-53E Super Stallion crash in California earlier this week.
The three pilots who perished are Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, Capt. Jack Casey, 26, and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28. The two crew chiefs are Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, and Sgt. Alec Langen, 23. All five were assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The CH-53E helicopter left Creech Air Force Base in Nevada on Tuesday and was bound for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., where the helicopter squadron is based, USNI News previously reported. The Marines began a search for the Super Stallion after it was long overdue. The crew was undergoing flight training, according to the Marine Corps news release.
The helicopter crashed over Pine Valley, which is about 50 miles east of San Diego, Calif. The Marine Corps announced the death of the crew Thursday, USNI News reported.
Davis, of Olathe, Kan., enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2019. Langen, of Chandler, Ariz., enlisted in September 2017.
Moulton was commissioned in the Marine Corps through the University of Washington Naval ROTC program in March 2019. Casey graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and was commissioned in May 2019. Nava was commissioned in the Marine Corps through the Naval Academy in May 2017.
“We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” Lt. Col. Nicholas Harvey, the commanding officer of HMH-361, said in the release. “Our top priority now is supporting the families of our fallen heroes, and we ask for your respect and understanding as they grieve. The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together.”
