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5 Marines killed in helicopter crash in San Diego's East County identified
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Leroy N. Soetoro
Feb 10, 2024, 7:07:34 PMFeb 10
to
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/5-marines-killed-in-helicopter-
crash-in-san-diegos-east-county-identified/3430953/
The U.S. Marine Corps has identified the five Marines who were killed
after their helicopter crashed Tuesday 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.
The five Marines were traveling on the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter,
flying from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps
Air Station Miramar in San Diego, when it was reported "overdue" Tuesday,
the Marine Corps said. They had been conducting unit-level training in
Vegas before their return. The mishap is currently under investigation
The last known location of the helicopter came from a ping to Cal Fire's
dispatch center at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cal Fire sent several engines
and an ambulance to the area overnight. The helicopter was found in Pine
Valley at around 9:08 a.m. Wednesday, MCAS Miramar said.
The military worked with federal, state and local agencies, including the
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s
Department and the state Civil Air Patrol.
MCAS Miramar sent out additional information about the Marines killed.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Lance-Cpl.-Donovan-Davis-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew
chief.
Donovan Davis enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 3, 2019, and was
promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on January 1, 2024. His decorations
include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Sgt.-Alec-Langen-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew
chief.
Alec Langen enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 14, 2017, and was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant on October 1, 2022. His decorations
include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and
two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Alec Langen's mother sent NBC 7 a statement Thursday confirming that her
son was on board the helicopter and said, "We will miss him dearly."
‘We will miss him dearly’: Mom identifies Marine killed in San Diego
County chopper crash
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Benjamin-Moulton-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot
Benjamin Moulton commissioned in the Marine Corps on March 29, 2019, and
was promoted to the rank of Captain on August 1, 2023. His decorations
include the National Defense Service Medal.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Jack-Casey-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
Jack Casey commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 16, 2019, and was
promoted to the rank of Captain on September 1, 2023. His decorations
include the National Defense Service Medal.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Miguel-Nava-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter
pilot.
Miguel Nava commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 26, 2017, and was
promoted to the rank of Captain on November 1, 2021. His decorations
include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense
Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and first lady Jill Biden
are “heartbroken” to learn of the Marines' deaths.
“Our service members represent the very best of our nation — and these
five Marines were no exception,” Biden said. “As the Department of Defense
continues to assess what occurred, we extend our 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.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement:
“California joins the nation in mourning the tremendous loss of these
Marines. Jennifer and I send our heartfelt condolences to their families,
loved ones, and fellow service members during this painful time. Their
dedication to serving our country will always be remembered."
The flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown
at half-staff in honor of the Marines.
No other information was available.
Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as
more information becomes available.
--
We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that
stupid people won't be offended.
Durham Report: The FBI has an integrity problem. It has none.
No collusion - Special Counsel Robert Swan Mueller III, March 2019.
Officially made Nancy Pelosi a two-time impeachment loser.
Thank you for cleaning up the disaster of the 2008-2017 Obama / Biden
fiasco, President Trump.
Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the
The World According To Garp. Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood
queer liberal democrat donors.
President Trump boosted the economy, reduced illegal invasions, appointed
dozens of judges and three SCOTUS justices.
crash-in-san-diegos-east-county-identified/3430953/
The U.S. Marine Corps has identified the five Marines who were killed
after their helicopter crashed Tuesday 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.
The five Marines were traveling on the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter,
flying from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps
Air Station Miramar in San Diego, when it was reported "overdue" Tuesday,
the Marine Corps said. They had been conducting unit-level training in
Vegas before their return. The mishap is currently under investigation
The last known location of the helicopter came from a ping to Cal Fire's
dispatch center at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cal Fire sent several engines
and an ambulance to the area overnight. The helicopter was found in Pine
Valley at around 9:08 a.m. Wednesday, MCAS Miramar said.
The military worked with federal, state and local agencies, including the
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s
Department and the state Civil Air Patrol.
MCAS Miramar sent out additional information about the Marines killed.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Lance-Cpl.-Donovan-Davis-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew
chief.
Donovan Davis enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 3, 2019, and was
promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on January 1, 2024. His decorations
include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Sgt.-Alec-Langen-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew
chief.
Alec Langen enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 14, 2017, and was
promoted to the rank of Sergeant on October 1, 2022. His decorations
include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and
two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Alec Langen's mother sent NBC 7 a statement Thursday confirming that her
son was on board the helicopter and said, "We will miss him dearly."
‘We will miss him dearly’: Mom identifies Marine killed in San Diego
County chopper crash
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Benjamin-Moulton-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot
Benjamin Moulton commissioned in the Marine Corps on March 29, 2019, and
was promoted to the rank of Captain on August 1, 2023. His decorations
include the National Defense Service Medal.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Jack-Casey-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
Jack Casey commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 16, 2019, and was
promoted to the rank of Captain on September 1, 2023. His decorations
include the National Defense Service Medal.
https://media.nbcsandiego.com/2024/02/Capt.-Miguel-Nava-
WP.png?fit=1200%2C675&quality=85&strip=all&w=775&h=436&crop=1
Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter
pilot.
Miguel Nava commissioned in the Marine Corps on May 26, 2017, and was
promoted to the rank of Captain on November 1, 2021. His decorations
include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense
Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and first lady Jill Biden
are “heartbroken” to learn of the Marines' deaths.
“Our service members represent the very best of our nation — and these
five Marines were no exception,” Biden said. “As the Department of Defense
continues to assess what occurred, we extend our 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.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement:
“California joins the nation in mourning the tremendous loss of these
Marines. Jennifer and I send our heartfelt condolences to their families,
loved ones, and fellow service members during this painful time. Their
dedication to serving our country will always be remembered."
The flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown
at half-staff in honor of the Marines.
No other information was available.
Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as
more information becomes available.
--
We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that
stupid people won't be offended.
Durham Report: The FBI has an integrity problem. It has none.
No collusion - Special Counsel Robert Swan Mueller III, March 2019.
Officially made Nancy Pelosi a two-time impeachment loser.
Thank you for cleaning up the disaster of the 2008-2017 Obama / Biden
fiasco, President Trump.
Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the
The World According To Garp. Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood
queer liberal democrat donors.
President Trump boosted the economy, reduced illegal invasions, appointed
dozens of judges and three SCOTUS justices.
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