UPDATE: Nine Bodies Identified Following Military Helicopter Crash
UPDATE: FLORIDA, March 12, 2015 (UPI)- As of Thursday, the medical examiner has identified nine of the casualties and the families have been notified, said Col. Pete Schneider of the Louisiana National Guard in a written press release. The remains of seven Marines and two Soldiers have been recovered, according to the release.
FLORIDA, March 11, 2015 (UPI)-Seven Marines and four soldiers were aboard one of two UH-60 Black Hawks are now missing and feared perished in a helicopter crash.
The 11 were participating in a routine training mission which went down off the coast early Wednesday morning.
Officials stated they have found some human remains although they are not discussing how many or their identity at this time.
U.S. military officials have indicated that it appears all 11 are dead.
A search and rescue operation was ongoing and some aircraft debris such as the downed chopper’s tail rotor has washed up on the shoreline. There is poor visibility and fog making efforts difficult. It is speculated that weather may have been a factor but they are not indicating they have any reasons yet for why the helicopter went down.
The downed helicopter departed from Destin, Fla., and was reported missing about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Marines were from a special operations regiment out of Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. The helicopters and crew were assigned to the Army National Guard in Hammond, La.
More information as we receive it.
