Marine Corps: 5 die in California helicopter crash

SAN DIEGO — The helicopter carrying five Marines that crashed during a storm in the mountains outside San Diego was a CH-53E Super Stallion designed to fly through bad weather, even at night.

The Super Stallion is the largest helicopter in the military, but every aircraft has its limits, and while every flight for Marines is considered a training opportunity, there is inherent risk, experts say. Now investigators will be looking at whether it was appropriate to send troops into a region being clobbered by a storm of historic proportions.

The military confirmed Thursday that all five Marines were killed when their helicopter went down during stormy weather, and efforts were underway to recover their remains. Marine Corps officials notified the families in person while Marines have been stationed round-the-clock at the site to stay with the remains, said Col. James C. Ford, operations officer with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

“Their fellow Marines have remained by their side as Marines do and took shifts throughout the night at the mishap site, keeping watch over our fallen despite the hazardous weather conditions,” Ford said. “Our fellow Marines were and continue to be guarded by their brothers and sisters.”

Citing the “hazardous terrain and weather” at the site, Ford said the ground recovery efforts will take place over coming weeks as an investigation into the crash is conducted.

Marine Corps leaders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden expressed their condolences.