"While we mourn the loss of these heroes, we will honor their sacrifice by continuing our mission to bring democracy to the people of Iraq. To the families of these brave men, our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you in this most difficult time. All Marines, sailors and airmen of the 1st Expeditionary Force mourn the tragic loss of our brothers in arms." Source: Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, in a statement from Iraq, on the crash of a CH-53 Sea Stallion in western Iraq early Wednesday. All 31 soldiers on board were killed. There was no immediate indication whether the aircraft was shot down -- but Sattler noted the weather was pretty bad in the region at the time.