Vietnam-Era Helo Went Down In Afghanistan Jan. 19

The Pentagon has identified six US Marines killed when their helicopter crashed last Thursday in Afghanistan. The Associated Press reports that all six were based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay. All were veterans of multiple deployments to Afghanistan.

The men were identified as 27-year-old Captain Daniel Bartle of Ferndale, WA; 29-year-old Captain Nathan McHone of Crystal Lake, IL; 40-year-old Master Sergeant Travis Riddick of Centerville, IA; 23-year-old Corporal Jesse Stites of North Beach, MD; 25-year-old Corporal Kevin Reinhard of Colonia, NJ; and 22-year-old Corporal Joseph Logan of Willis, TX. The AP reports Bartle and McHone were the pilots, and Riddick was serving as crew chief.

Base Spokeswoman First Lieutenant Diann Olson commented, "These men were not only experienced Marines, but they were husbands, sons, brothers and dear friends. The memories of our fallen Marines are engraved in each and every one who had the privilege to know and serve alongside them, and we will never forget the sacrifice they made to our country and our Corps."

The helicopter was a CH-53D Sea Stallion (similar aircraft pictured), the same Vietnam-era model which crashed with one fatality in Hawaii last March in an accident blamed on mechanical failure. The investigation into last week's accident is not complete, but officials say there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.

FMI: www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1200&tid=200&ct=1