A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft crashed at a military training area in southern California on Wednesday afternoon, killing five service members on board, the service confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
Five Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing died after an “aviation mishap” involving an MV-22B Osprey during a training exercise near Glamis, Calif.
“We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap,” Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, commanding general of 3rd Marine Air Wing, said in a statement.
The deceased Marines’ identities have not been released.
“While military service is inherently dangerous, the loss of life is always difficult,” the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement. “3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is committed to providing support to the families, friends, and fellow service members of the fallen Marines.”
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing initially confirmed that the MV-22B Osprey was based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton with Marine Aircraft Group 39. “Five Marines were onboard the aircraft, and we are awaiting confirmation on the status of all members of the crew,” the wing said.
“Contrary to initial social media reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft,” the wing added.
According to first responders via Imperial County Law Enforcement and Fire radio traffic, at least four people were dead and a fifth person was unaccounted for.
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma was also among the first to confirm reports of the crash.
The area of the crash is marked as a military training area with signs reading “Bombing range. Not a public road” and “Danger: Military training in progress.”
This is the second MV-22 Osprey crash to take place this year.
In March, four Marines were killed when a MV-22B crashed in Norway during a multinational exercise.
