Doomed Marine plane came from upstate NY
The Marine refueling plane that crashed in Mississippi came from a Reserves unit based at Stewart Air National Guard base in upstate Newburgh, military brass said Tuesday.
All 15 Marines and one sailor on board the KC-130 tanker were killed when it spiraled into a Leflore County soybean field at about 4 p.m. Monday, military officials said.
Six Marines and the sailor were from the Camp Lejeune-based 2nd Marine Raider Battalion in North Carolina, according to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
“The incredible demands of this dangerous and demanding calling forge some of the tightest unit and family bonds found in the US military. This loss impacts us all,” the MCFSOC said.
One of the Marines was identified by family as 31year-old Julian Kevianne, who was stationed at the National Guard base in Newburgh, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The identities of the remaining victims were not released pending notifica- tion of family members.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation of the crash, but Marine Maj. Andrew Aranda told reporters that no foul play was suspected.
The flight, which was under the command of the 4th Marine Air Wing, had departed from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC, and was transporting personnel and equipment to the Naval Air Field in El Centro, Calif., the Marines said.
“Equipment on board included various small-arms ammunition and personal weapons,” the military said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration contacted the Marines after the plane vanished from air-traffic-control radar.
Military officials did not immediately give a cause for the fiery crash, which left a debris field with a radius of about five miles.
President Trump tweeted about the tragedy Tuesday morning:
“Marine Plane crash in Mississippi is heartbreaking. Melania and I send our deepest condolences to all!”