US Marines missing on military helicopter in California

Rescue teams are searching for a US Marine Corps helicopter that went missing while on a flight to California. Marine Corps Air Base Miramar, near San Diego, reported early Wednesday that the helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, " "She was late for her appointment."

Five Marines were riding in the helicopter, which was flying from an air base near Las Vegas, and the San Diego County Police Department was assisting in the search,

The missing Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing that is headquartered in Miramar, the Marine Corps said in a statement

Meanwhile, officials said that search efforts were hampered by heavy snow and winter conditions.

The accident came at a time when the region was experiencing a winter storm that included heavy rain and several inches of snow falling in the mountainous areas.

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In August, a Marine pilot was killed when his F/A-18 Hornet crashed in the same area near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and Marine Super Stallions have been involved in several serious accidents in the past.

In April 2018, for example, four soldiers were killed when their Super Stallion crashed near El Centro, California, while on a training mission.

In a separate incident in January 2016, 12 Marines were killed when two Super Stallions collided over the Pacific Ocean