The wreckage of a military helicopter that was reported missing on Wednesday morning was found in a national forest outside of San Diego, but it is not clear whether there are any survivors.
The wreckage of the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was discovered in Pine Valley, California, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and was believed to have carried five Marines on board. It departed from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada on Tuesday evening and was bound for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California.
Search and rescue operations are still underway.
ABC News reports that the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department received a call at 1:50 a.m. Pacific time and sent out a search helicopter. The chopper was unable to reach the area due to the atmospheric river-fueled storm pouring rain over Southern California. The sheriff’s department sent out off-road vehicles to search through difficult terrain.
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The aircraft was “reported overdue,” a spokesperson from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement. “The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol. The most up-to-date information will be released as it becomes available.”
The five Marines are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
