Aircraft Went Missing Near Charikot, Nepal During Humanitarian Assistance Mission

ANN Realtime Update 0745 EDT 05.15.2015

Wreckage of the Marine UH-1Y was located on the slopes of a mountain east of Kathmandu, according to media reports including CNN.

Nepal's defense secretary said Friday that the wreckage was found "in a burned condition," according to the reports, and three bodies were found with the wreckage.

There were six U.S. marines and two Nepali service members on board the aircraft when it went down Tuesday. The U.S. Joint Task Force has confirmed that the wreckage has been located, but has not commented on the reported discovery of the human remains.

Original Story:

The U.S. Marine Corps said in a news release Thursday that Joint Task Force 505 continues efforts both in support of the ongoing search and rescue mission for a missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter, as well as humanitarian aid and disaster relief for the country of Nepal.

To date, two UH-1Y Hueys, two MV-22 Ospreys, one Indian MI-17 and three Nepalese helicopters have searched for the UH-1Y Huey that went missing near Charikot, Nepal, while conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations May 12. Augmenting the aerial search is one Nepalese special forces platoon and a battalion-sized ground element.

U.S. Marine UH-1Y Huey and MV-22 Osprey aircraft delivered 174,706 pounds of emergency relief supplies as of 7:54 a.m. Japanese Standard Time since Operation Sahayogi Haat began. Relief supplies include plastic sheeting, shelter kits, blankets, water, medical supplies, and emergency and supplemental food. In addition to delivering aid, 459 personnel and 52 casualty evacuations have been transported via aircraft.

JTF 505 will replace the two UH-1Y Hueys operating in Nepal to allow for routine maintenance. One UH-1Y Huey assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 is scheduled to arrive in Nepal Friday, May 15. Additionally, one UH-1Y Hueys assigned to HMLA-269 will arrive in Nepal Saturday, May 16. Both aircraft will be transported using U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. All aircraft are operating in support of relief efforts.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.marines.mil