All 25 On Board Recovered After The Aircraft Went Into The Water

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) went down at 2:00 p.m. (GMT), Monday at sea in the Gulf of Aden as it attempted to land aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19).

All 25 persons aboard the helicopter; 17 Marines and eight Navy Sailors, were safely recovered and are aboard USS Mesa Verde. Personnel who sustained minor injuries in the accident were treated aboard USS Mesa Verde.

The accident was not a result of hostile activity. The aircraft was transferring the Marines and Sailors back to USS Mesa Verde from training ashore in nearby Djibouti.

The Navy and Marine Corps will investigate the cause of the accident.

USS Mesa Verde with embarked elements of the 22 MEU is part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group currently on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility where it is conducting maritime
security operations.

(U.S. Navy image: A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to land aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS the Mesa Verde)

FMI: www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/