Marine killed during ‘routine’ operations at Camp Pendleton

A Marine was killed at Camp Pendleton Tuesday evening during what military officials described as “routine military operations.”

The Marine was a member of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine

Aircraft Group 39, which operates out of Camp Pendleton but is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The squadron trains helicopter pilots.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s communications office said little else about the incident, other than that the Marine died about 5 p.m. Tuesday. A spokesperson said she could not provide further details about the circumstances of the incident, which she said is still under investigation.

A different Marine spokesperson said Tuesday’s incident did not involve Semper Durus, the large war game exercise that is under way this week at Camp Pendleton.

The name of the Marine who died will not be released until at least 24 hours after the family is notified of the death.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing has faced other deaths during operations in recent years.

In February, five members of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, based out of Miramar, died when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in remote East County mountains during a storm.

In June 2022, all five Marines onboard a Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey died when the aircraft crashed near Glamis in Imperial County. They were part of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, based at Camp Pendleton.