One Of Six Fatally Injured In Sea Stallion Accident

The Marine Corps pilot of a CH-53D Sea Stallion was laid to rest Sunday in his hometown of Crystal Lake, IL. Capt. Nathan McHone was fatally injured when his helicopter went down during a mission in Helmand province in Afghanistan January 19th. Thousands of people reportedly lined the streets of the small town northwest of Chicago as his body was brought home.

CH-53D Sea Stallion

McHone had joined the Marine Corps in order to learn to fly, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. Paul Schuth, pastor of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where the service was held, said McHone was very pragmatic about being shot at flying in combat zones. "He acted as if it were a matter of routine," Schuth said during the eulogy.

Taliban fighters claimed to have shot down McHone's aircraft, but DoD officials say the accident was caused by mechanical problems with the Sea Stallion, and that no fighting was going on when the accident occurred.

McHone's unit had been based in Hawaii. They deployed to Afghanistan in August.

FMI: www.marines.mil