Navy copter crashes into ocean, 3 bodies found

[David]

AP


SAN DIEGO – Bodies were found Wednesday of three of the five crew members who were aboard a Navy helicopter that crashed into the ocean southwest of San Diego, military officials said.

Rescue teams continued looking for the other two crew members, said Navy Lt. Karen Burzinski.

The SH60 Seahawk helicopter, from Carrier Air Wing 11, had taken off from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz as part of a training exercise before it went into the sea late Tuesday.

There was no information Wednesday on a possible cause, and the names of the crew members were not released.

The crews of Coast Guard and Navy helicopters and of boats from several agencies had joined the search for the missing. The site is off the northwest Mexican coast, near the Coronado Islands.

The training exercises had involved the Nimitz and a half-dozen other ships in its strike group.

[Robert Ryan]

wondering if the squadron the helicopter crew was with was known.

[Boats]

I recall one on our ship that had just taken off - went Port - then dropped like a stone - all were lost. Sunk before our ship even past them. Nothing was found. Escorts looked all day for survivors but none were ever found. Used to think about falling overboard at night (like a few had done) they were never found.

[revwardoc]

During WWII my late father-in-law served aboard the USS Wichita which was enroute to the North Atlantic for convoy duty. During a spell of rough weather, Admiral John Wilcox was washed overboard and his body was never recovered. Everyone wondered what a flag officer was doing walking the deck in a storm without his Marine escort.

[Boats]

Our Flag or Skipper - never went anywhere without his escort. Maybe he told his guard he needed a quite moment and took his walk? Good point - not being an officer with an escort I didn't really think of that.

[DMZ-LT]

Had a KIA put on a chopper back to Dong Ha , he was wrapped in a poncho. Chopper landed without his body. He is listed as KIA / BNR (Body Not Recovered ) Had another guy burn up in a overturned APC and all we found was a chared leg bone. Told me that wasn't enough for KIA so they listed him MIA. Must have changed later because he is on The Wall now.

[Boats]

When I guy is MIA does his family collect his pay for some period of time? I've always wondered how their families made out when these guys go MIA?