The commander of a Miramar-based Marine Corps helicopter squadron has been relieved of duty nine months after one of his helicopters crashed in East County, killing all five Marines aboard the aircraft.
The Marines said in a statement that it had lost trust and confidence in Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, who ran Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, known as the Flying Tigers.
The fatal crash occurred about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 6 while the five Marines were returning to MCAS Miramar from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
Their CH-53E helicopter crashed while they were flying through snow, rain and strong winds near Pine Valley. Their remains were located the following day.
The five crew members were all in their 20s and had spent roughly five to seven years in the Corps. They were identified as Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21; Sgt. Alec Langen, 23; Capt. Jack Casey, 26; Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27; and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28.
The Marines did not speak in detail about Harvey’s dismissal, which is common when a leader is relieved of duty. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to MCAS Miramar.
Former staff writer Lyndsay Winkley contributed to this report.
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