5 missing Marines in California declared dead

The five U.S. Marines who went missing in Southern California this week were confirmed to have died in a helicopter crash.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) confirmed the deaths in a Thursday statement, after an exhaustive search for the missing Marines on Wednesday in a mountainous region of San Diego County.

Maj. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, the commanding general of the 3rd MAW, announced the deaths “with a heavy heart and profound sadness.”

“These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service,” he said in a statement. “To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.”

President Biden also mourned the deaths of the Marines on Thursday, extending his “deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors.”

“Our service members represent the very best of our nation—and these five Marines were no exception,” Biden said in a statement. “Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice — and reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families.”

The Marines disappeared while on a training flight from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

A search began around 1 a.m. local time Wednesday, after the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter the Marines were flying was reported overdue.

The helicopter was found Wednesday morning around 9 a.m. local time, but the Marines were not located.

The accident happened as severe storms hit Southern California. The weather also complicated search efforts, which involved local police in San Diego along with state emergency personnel and U.S. military service members.

Also difficult in the search operation was the location, as responders fanned out across a mountainous region of Pine Valley near the Cuyamaca Mountains just east of San Diego.

The 3rd MAW said efforts are underway to recover the Marines and lost equipment.

Names of the deceased are being withheld for the moment.