Authorities were responding late Wednesday night to the scene of an apparent military helicopter crash in the vicinity of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
The Thurston County Sheriff office said in a statement that deputies were dispatched after getting “reports of a possible helicopter crash in the Summit Lake area” and “located what is believed to be the scene.”
“We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area, and we are working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist,” the office said.
There was no word on how many people were on board or their fate.
CBS News has reached out to the base for details and confirmation that one of its aircraft was the one that went down.
— This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Brian Dakss is a longtime New York-based editor and writer for CBS News, at the Radio network and with CBSNews.com. He has written and edited for NBC News, Dow Jones and numerous radio stations and been a radio anchor and reporter.
The five Marines who died when their helicopter crashed during a storm in the mountains outside San Diego have been identified.
The servicemembers were aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter that was traveling during bad weather from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California for “routine flight training.” The crashed helicopter was found Wednesday, and the Marines were all confirmed to have died on Thursday morning.
On Friday, the Third Marine Aircraft Wing identified the Marines as Lance Cpt. Donovan Davis, 21, Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, Capt. Jack Casey, 26, and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28. Davis and Langen were helicopter crew chiefs, and Moulton, Casey and Nava were helicopter pilots.
All five were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
According to a statement from Third Marine Aircraft Wing officials, Davis, of Olathe, Kansas, enlisted in the Marine Corps in Sept. 2019 and had received multiple medals, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Lance Cpt. Donovan Davis.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Langen, of Chandler, Arizona, enlisted in the Corps in Sept. 2017 and had received decorations including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
“We will miss him dearly,” his mother Caryn Langen told KNSD-TV of San Diego.
Sgt. Alec Langen.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Moulton, of Emmett, Idaho, commissioned in the Marine Corps in March 2019 and had received the National Defense Service Medal.
Capt. Benjamin Moulton.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Casey, of Dover, New Hampshire, joined the corps in May 2019 and also received the National Defense Service Medal.
“Capt. Jack Casey gave his life while serving his country,” New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu said in a statement. “Valerie and I are deeply saddened as we mourn the loss of these five Marines. Capt. Jack Casey’s death is a profound loss for his family, his community, New Hampshire, and the country.
.
Capt. Jack Casey.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Nava, of Traverse City, Michigan, commissioned in the Marine Corps in May 2017 and had received decorations including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Capt. Miguel Nava.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Davis and Langen were both crew chiefs and the rest were CH-53E pilots, officials said.
“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, in a statement. “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.”
Kerry Breen is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University’s Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News’ TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.
A U.S. military helicopter carrying five Marines that was due to land in California has gone missing, authorities said Wednesday. Search and rescue efforts were being coordinated by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar Air Station, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol, the Marine Corps said in a statement to CBS News.
The Super Stallion helicopter was flying from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on Tuesday when it was reported overdue, the Marine Corps said.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told CBS News it received a call at 2:20 a.m. that the helicopter was overdue.
Firefighters were dispatched to a location east of San Diego in the area of the Cleveland National Forest, a spokesperson with the agency’s San Diego office told CBS News. The area had rugged terrain and heavy snow was falling, the spokesperson said. Nothing was found at the location.
Cal Fire asked the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Border Patrol to help with the search effort. The forest is located near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The five missing Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the Marine Corps said.
Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.
Create your free account or log in for more features.
