Amid a fierce winter storm, five members of the US Marine Corps lost their lives when their helicopter crashed in a remote area east of San Diego, California.
The Marine Corps confirmed the accident involving a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter in the mountainous Pine Valley region, as the aircraft was en route to a Marine Corps air station in Miramar, California.
The debris of the ill-fated helicopter was discovered during a search and rescue operation conducted by the Marine Corps and local authorities.
President Joe Biden extended his deepest condolences to the families of the five deceased soldiers in a statement, mourning the loss of these brave individuals who served their country with honor.
This tragic event underscores the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises, particularly in challenging weather conditions.
The incident is under investigation to prevent future occurrences and to ensure the safety of military aviation operations.