The US Marine Corps announced on Thursday that the five US service members who went missing after their helicopter crashed this week in southern California have been confirmed dead.
According to the military, the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed on Tuesday while traveling from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Flying Tigers' while conducting a training flight," Major General Michael Borgschulte, commander of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement.
According to the Marine Corps, an investigation is being conducted, and efforts have started to retrieve the crash victims' remains.
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"Heartbroken" by the loss of the service members, President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow.
"We extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the US Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation's finest warriors," the president said in a statement.
"Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honour their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice -- and reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families."
Over the past year, there have been several incidents involving US military aircraft, such as the late November crash of a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft off the coast of Japan that claimed the lives of eight airmen.
A second Osprey crash in Australia in August claimed the lives of three Marines, while a helicopter crash in the Mediterranean earlier that month claimed the lives of five American service members.
In April, two helicopters returning from a training mission in a remote part of Alaska collided, killing three more military personnel and injuring another.
