5 Marines killed in California aircraft crash identified

GLAMIS, Calif. — The 5 Marines killed in an plane crash Wednesday close to Glamis in Imperial County, California, have been recognized, a U.S. Marine Corps official introduced Friday.

The victims, primarily based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, have been all assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364, Marine Plane Group 39 and third Marine Plane Wing, based on a launch from Main Mason Englehart of the third Marine Plane Wing. Their names are as follows:

• Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois, a Tiltrotor Crew Chief

• Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, an MV-22B Pilot

• Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, a Tiltrotor Crew Chief

• Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California, an MV-22B Pilot

• Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico, a Tiltrotor Crew Chief 

The crash, involving a MV-22B Osprey, occurred round 12:25 p.m., First Lt. Duane Kampa mentioned. The crew and plane have been conducting routine flight coaching, Englehart acknowledged.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we mourn the lack of 5 Marines from the Purple Fox household” mentioned Lt. Col. John C. Miller, commanding officer of VMM-364. “That is an especially troublesome time for VMM-364 and it’s laborious to precise the influence that this loss has had on our squadron and its households. Our major mission now could be caring for the members of the family of our fallen Marines and we respectfully request privateness for his or her households as they navigate this troublesome time. We admire all of the prayers and assist from the robust prolonged Purple Fox household and wish them to know that extra info can be forthcoming on how you can assist.”

The incident is at the moment below investigation.