Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, USMC

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A U.S. Marine from California was identified by military officials Sunday as one of four people killed in a plane crash in a southern Philippines rice field.

Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, 22, from Long Beach, died Thursday when a plane contracted by the U.S. military crashed while conducting a routine mission to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support at the request of Philippine allies, said officials at Camp Pendleton. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Three defense contractors also were killed in the crash, military officials said.

U.S. forces have been stationed at a Philippine military camp in the country’s south for decades to assist in training and advising Filipino troops fighting Muslim militants in the region, which is a minority Muslim area in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.

Durham was an electronic intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst with the 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. He joined the Marines in January 2021 and was promoted to sergeant on Feb. 1.

Officials said his awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and Naval Aircrew Insignia.