Five US Marines have tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash that occurred on Tuesday night in the mountains outside San Diego, California. The aircraft involved was a CH-53E Super Stallion, and it went down during stormy weather. The helicopter was discovered on Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley, approximately 45 miles from the city. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences, stating that he and First Lady Jill Biden were “heartbroken” upon learning of the Marines' deaths. The Marines who were killed were from the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Major General Michael J Borgschulte, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, released a statement expressing his sorrow and sadness over the loss of the five outstanding Marines from the "Flying Tigers." The helicopter was returning to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after completing training at Creech Air Force Base, which is northwest of Las Vegas. The search and rescue effort was launched amidst a turbulent storm that brought heavy snow and record rain to California. Multiple agencies, including the US Forest Service, US Border Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, and the state Civil Air Patrol, participated in the operation.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest helicopter in the US military and can carry a large number of people. It requires four crew members - a pilot, co-pilot, crew chief, and mechanic. The helicopter has been involved in various military combat operations in Beirut, Somalia, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. However, it has also been associated with several deadly accidents in the past. In 2018, four US Marines were killed when their aircraft crashed near the California-Mexico border during a training mission. Pilot error was ruled out as the cause of the accident, and the victims' families later sued two companies they believed provided a defective part responsible for the crash. In 2005, a Super Stallion crashed in Iraq during a sandstorm, resulting in the deaths of 31 people on board. Pilot error was determined to be the cause of that accident, making it the deadliest loss of US troops during the war.

The Marine Corps officially confirmed the deaths of the five Marines on Thursday. The announcement was made by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, following the discovery of the helicopter in Pine Valley on Wednesday. The Marines were flying from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego when the aircraft was reported as overdue. Search teams, including the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and the Civil Air Patrol, conducted extensive searches in the snowy and mountainous region until the helicopter was located. The recovery of the Marines' remains and equipment, as well as an investigation into the cause of the crash, are currently underway.

The identities of the deceased Marines have not been released yet, as it is standard military procedure to notify next-of-kin before making their names public. Maj. Gen. Borgschulte expressed his deep condolences to the families of the fallen Marines and assured them of the Marine Corps' support during this difficult time. President Joe Biden also addressed the crash, expressing his and First Lady Jill Biden's heartbreak over the loss of the Marines. He extended condolences to their families, their squadron, and the entire US Marine Corps, emphasizing the nation's commitment to honoring their selfless service and sacrifice.

Efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the Marines and the equipment from the crash site. Additionally, an investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the tragic accident.