MV-22 AIRCRAFT MISHAP
CLAIMS LIVES OF 19 MARINES
By Division of Public Affairs
HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, WASHINGTON,
D.C. (April 9) -- Marine Corps officials are expressing
condolences to the families of 19 Marines killed approximately 8
p.m. on April 8 when an MV-22 Osprey crashed near Marana, Ariz.
Killed in the accident were:
· Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28, a machinegunner assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Uvalde,
Texas.
· Maj. John A. Brow, 39, a pilot assigned to Marine Helicopter
Squadron-1, of California, Md.
· Pfc. Class Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21, a machinegunner assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Picher, Okla.
· Pfc. Alfred Corona, 23, a machinegunner assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of San
Antonio.
· Lance Cpl. Jason T. Duke, 28, a machinegunner assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Sacramento, Calif.
· Lance Cpl. Jesus Gonzalez Sanchez, 27, an assaultman assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
San Diego.
· Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34, pilot assigned to Marine Helicopter
Squadron-1, of Jacksonville, N.C.
· Lance Cpl. Seth G. Jones, 18, an assaultman assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Bend,
Ore.
· 2nd Lt. Clayton J. Kennedy, 24, a platoon commander assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Clifton Bosque, Texas.
· Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22, aircraft crew chief assigned to
Marine Helicopter Squadron-1, of Florence, S.C.
· Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21, a field radio operator assigned to
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group
38, of Coconino, Ariz.
· Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Morin, 21, an assaultman assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of McAllen,
Texas.
· Cpl. Adam C. Neely, 22, a rifleman assigned to 3rd Battalion,
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Winthrop, Wash.
· Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30, an aerial observer/mechanic
assigned to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Training Squadron-204, of
Richmond, Va.
· Pfc. Kenneth O. Paddio, 23, a rifleman assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Houston.
· Pfc. George P. Santos, 19, a rifleman assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Long
Beach, Calif.
· Pfc. Keoki P. Santos, 24, a rifleman assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Grand
Ronde, Ore.
· Cpl. Can Soler, 21, a rifleman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Palm City, Fla.
· Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19, a rifleman assigned to 3rd Battalion,
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Brownwood, Texas.
"The entire Marine Corps family grieves for the Marines we've
lost in this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to
their families," said Gen. James Jones, Commandant of the Marine
Corps. "We have sent an expert team to Arizona to quickly
investigate the circumstances surrounding this mishap."
Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig released the following
statement, "Evaluating new equipment and training for war, like
war itself, puts life at risk. In peace and war, Marines accept
that risk - it is a bond between us. In that spirit, we grieve
today for our nineteen lost Marines and embrace their families."
The MV-22 was conducting a training mission in support of
Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down near Marana,
Ariz. During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises as part of
the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with Marines
embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission was
conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles and
forward-looking infrared radar to enhance night operational
capability.
Operational Evaluation is a test phase to determine the
operational suitability of the aircraft for the Marine Corps. It
began in October 1999 and is scheduled to conclude in June 2000.
To date, the four Ospreys involved in Operational Evaluation
have completed more than 800 flight hours. During March, the
OPEVAL aircraft flew nearly 140 flight hours, an average of 35
hours per aircraft.
The mishap aircraft was part of the Multi-service Operational
Test Team, based at Patuxent River, Md., but was temporarily
attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 at
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
Marine Corps News 04/09/2000 |
