SAN DIEGO — In a helicopter crash Tuesday in southeastern San Diego County, all five U.S. Marines who lost their lives have been identified. Before the Marine Corps released their names, the wife of Sgt. Alec Langen confirmed her husband was among the deceased. Langen, 23, hailing from Chandler, Ariz., served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief. The other victims, as per military officials, are:
- Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, from Olathe, Kan., a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.
- Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, from Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
- Capt. Jack Casey, 26, from Dover, N.H., a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
- Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, from Traverse City, Mich., a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
All were members of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, flying from Creech Air Force Base northwest of Las Vegas to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, crashed during a routine training mission in the Pine Valley area.
Recovery efforts, led by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, are underway in coordination with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Civil Air Patrol. As of Friday morning, these efforts are ongoing.
The CH-53E Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter used by the United States Marine Corps. It is primarily used for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies in support of amphibious and land-based operations. The CH-53E is one of the largest helicopters in the U.S. military and is capable of carrying heavy loads over long distances. It has been in service since the 1980s and has undergone various upgrades to maintain its effectiveness.