Marines killed in helicopter crash identified

MorningLover · ‎10-04-2015

7 San Diego

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified the five Marines who were killed after their helicopter crashed during stormy weather in San Diego's East County.

They have been identified as:

Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.

Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.

Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

All were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and were based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

“We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of HMH-361. “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.”

On Thursday, Col. James Ford of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing told the media fellow Marines have remained vigilant at their side, near the small East County community of Pine Valley. Their remains were and continue to be guarded by brothers and sisters, Ford said.

icezeus · ‎10-30-2010

I was talking about this story with one of my girlfriends last night. I served in the Navy as did she. Both her and her husband actually retired, so please no one scold me on my opinion.

We were both angry, and consider this a senseless tragedy. We had major storms the last several days, and they were flying from Nevada to California. I want to say Miramar. There was absolutely no need for them to have flown out with the weather conditions that we were experiencing.

There will be a full investigation and we both want someones head to roll. We both want blood.

SaveTheTurtles · ‎10-09-2023

So sad.

LuvSoCal · ‎07-18-2010

@icezeus This tragic event happened in our local mountains. As I was reading the article in the morning paper I was thinking the exact same thing. Why was it necessary for them to make the trip back to CA during the extreme weather conditions? This is happening (helicopter crashes) way too often lately. So very sad.

SaveTheTurtles · ‎10-09-2023

@icezeus wrote:
I was talking about this story with one of my girlfriends last night. I served in the Navy as did she. Both her and her husband actually retired, so please no one scold me on my opinion.

We were both angry, and consider this a senseless tragedy. We had major storms the last several days, and they were flying from Nevada to California. I want to say Miramar. There was absolutely no need for them to have flown out with the weather conditions that we were experiencing.

There will be a full investigation and we both want someones head to roll. We both want blood.

Thank you for your service. I don't understand them flying in those weather conditions either.

Sassycoco · ‎08-05-2023

@icezeus

Thank you for your service 🙏 ❤️

You are entitled to your opinion!

"Freedom of Speech "

I admire you ,for speaking your mind!

Mersha · ‎03-10-2010

@icezeus wrote:
I was talking about this story with one of my girlfriends last night. I served in the Navy as did she. Both her and her husband actually retired, so please no one scold me on my opinion.

We were both angry, and consider this a senseless tragedy. We had major storms the last several days, and they were flying from Nevada to California. I want to say Miramar. There was absolutely no need for them to have flown out with the weather conditions that we were experiencing.

There will be a full investigation and we both want someones head to roll. We both want blood.

@icezeus It was a horrible tragedy that these wonderful young people lost their lives in service to their country. My heart and sympathies go to their families in this terrible time of pain and grief.

How about before we call for "someone's head to roll" and "wanting blood" we wait for a thorough investigation into the tragedy.

At present, there is nothing but speculation into the cause of the accident.

"My desire to be well informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane."

Sassycoco · ‎08-05-2023

@Mersha

Isn't that what she stating 🤔

Just my perseption....

I think possibly when a tragedy hits close to home ...you are more passionate about it .

I do believe it should be investigated thoroughly...@icezeus....stated that.

I agree 👍 💯, about accountability...

icezeus · ‎10-30-2010

@Mersha wrote:
@icezeus wrote:
I was talking about this story with one of my girlfriends last night. I served in the Navy as did she. Both her and her husband actually retired, so please no one scold me on my opinion.

We were both angry, and consider this a senseless tragedy. We had major storms the last several days, and they were flying from Nevada to California. I want to say Miramar. There was absolutely no need for them to have flown out with the weather conditions that we were experiencing.

There will be a full investigation and we both want someones head to roll. We both want blood.

@icezeus It was a horrible tragedy that these wonderful young people lost their lives in service to their country. My heart and sympathies go to their families in this terrible time of pain and grief.

How about before we call for "someone's head to roll" and "wanting blood" we wait for a thorough investigation into the tragedy.

At present, there is nothing but speculation into the cause of the accident.

@Mersha

Hi Mersha, no disrespect but ummm no. I will stick with my opinion of wanting someones head to roll and wanting blood( serious, painful, accountability). You will never convince me that it was necessary for them to fly in the type of terrible storms we had been having in California earlier in the week. We had hundreds of flights that were cancelled, from multiple airports. Military helicopter or not. NO... there was no need to be in the air.

In my opinion it was reckless endangerment of their lives, with tragic consequences. I am not saying that something could not have malfunctioned on the helicopter, we will know more at the conclusion of the investigation, but they should not have been in the air to begin with.