Five Marines were killed when their helicopter crashed in Southern California

Five members of the US Marine Corps have been confirmed deceased following the crash of their helicopter in a remote region of Southern California during a training flight on Tuesday night, as stated in a news bulletin from their Marine Corps division.

Efforts are currently in progress to retrieve their remains, the bulletin mentioned on Thursday, subsequent to the helicopter, identified as a CH-53E Super Stallion, being reported as overdue while en route from Creech Air Force base near Las Vegas to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

“These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement Thursday. “We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.”

The names of the Marines will remain undisclosed until 24 hours following notification of their families, as stated by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Discovered on Wednesday morning in Pine Valley, a mountainous area approximately 30 miles east of the San Diego station, the helicopter was located during a collaborative search operation involving multiple agencies, which San Diego authorities noted was impeded by heavy snow. The incident is presently under investigation.