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U.S. Navy via Reuters, file
An MV-22 Osprey, similar to the one that crashed in Morocco Wednesday, lands on the flight deck of an amphibious transport dock ship in the Atlantic Ocean Oct. 19, 2009.
Two U.S. Marine Corps personnel were killed and two others were seriously hurt in a helicopter crash in Morocco, according to a statement by U.S. Africa Command.
The statement said that an MV-22 Osprey operating from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima crashed in a Royal Moroccan military training area southwest of Agadir, Morocco, while participating in “Exercise African Lion,” Wednesday.
“Four U.S. Marine Corps personnel were on the aircraft at the time of the incident. Two personnel died as a result of their injuries sustained in the crash,” it said. “The two other personnel were severely injured in the crash and are being medically evacuated for further treatment.”
The MV-22 Osprey was assigned to a Marine squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, N.C, the statement added.
“The cause of the incident is under investigation,” the statement said.
An annual event, Exercise African Lion 2012 began on April 8.
The statement said it was a “theater security cooperation exercise led by U.S. Marine Forces Africa and is conducted annually between the U.S. military and the Kingdom of Morocco to further develop joint and combined capabilities.”
The exercise is designed to improve field and aviation training, humanitarian civic assistance, amphibious landings, intelligence capacity building, and command post and peace support operations.
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My husband is on that ship right now. Bless those who were lost and those who are injured.
My son is also on that ship. It sure gives your heart a jolt when you hear anything happening on a ship or in an area that your loved ones are involved in. Prayers go out to the families who lost there loved ones.
the last thing the FRO or command needs is to have the phone lines burned up by a bunch of hysterical spouses. Look up River City .. then be happy that you have NOT heard from the command because had you, he probably would have been one of the injured or dead ....
RIP Marines, you will not be forgotten
Huh? Isn't this year 2012? Did they mean through 2012? Or did they mean 2013? WTF? Editors!!!
Semper Fi Marines.
Is there a way to find out the names of the marines injured. My husband is there, and I havent heard anything from the FRO. Is there a number to call. I havent heard from him in two days?
Call the FRO, or his CO. And always remember that no news is good news. You and your family, as well as he families of those lost, will be in our thoughts and prayers.
You would have heard already, I know one of the two men killed and his parents found out shortly after it happened.
what the hell are they doing in Morocco--- Good Riddance---semper fi this mofos.
...
Good Riddence? Really? Good riddence would be if you were killed...
I'd gladly trade their lives for yours in an instant.. Perhaps going back to remedial reading would be helpful considering the purpose of the mission was clearly stated in the article
I really like the Osprey as an assault vehicle. It has tremendous capabilities and does seem to represent the ideal chassis platform as airborn assault vehicle of the future.
But.... I just get sad and disheartened with each loss of life due to mechanical failures, training incidents, etc...
I wish the families of the deceased and wounded all of the respect and condolences that I have to offer. I'm truly sorry for this sad piece of news today.
as a mom whose son is also over there prayers for thse whose lives were lost with this accident.and its training they are giving to the moroccan soldiers. we have always worked with other countries to help them train. my husband was a 26 year marine. semper fi also semper gumby always flexible thats why we help train other countries
Taking a ride on a U.S. military helicopter is apparently one of the riskiest behaviors a soldier can do.
What the hell is the US doing in Morocco, looking for another war with another 3rd world country. Will the US ever stop engaging in war just for the sake of war. The US pisses and moans about terrortist threats and its sounds like we are the terrorists threating war in yet another country. Let the Israeli terrorist nation go after Morocco citizens and leave the US out of this one. We have been training the Israelis to use their first strike privilege on any nation lets see how they do in Morocco.
Goodness sakes, the article is only 8 paragraphs long, and most of those are only a single sentence. You honestly couldn't just read it? We are not at war with Morocco, and neither is Israel or anyone, it was a joint training excersize. It says so in the article. Pretty clearly. In fact about half of the article is about the training:
'The statement said it was a “theater security cooperation exercise led by U.S. Marine Forces Africa and is conducted annually between the U.S. military and the Kingdom of Morocco to further develop joint and combined capabilities.”'
Gary... why do you insist on posting comments which just reinforce the fact that you are always ilinformed?
Mr. Hanson-
Have you even looked at a map to see where Morocco is in relation to Israel? The flight distance is just over 2300 miles. Have you researched what order of battle does Morocco have? IF you did, you will realize that Morocco not even on Israel's radar and since the U.S. is engaged in a military exercise alongside the Moroccan military, it should be pointed out that Morocco is an ally. We are there to help them build confidence measures so that they can be engaged in African regional affairs so that U.S. Military doesn't have to. Take a moment and read up on what is AFRICOM's mission, vision, and goals to see what it is that we are really doing on the continent.
:-/
"If knowledge is power then ignorance is feeble-minded."
Gary- You, sir, are an 1diot. Morocco is and has been since WW2, an American ally. We have had Navy and Marine forces stationed there. Even the US Air Force was there for a while. I was stationed there and the people are great friends of ours. Try reading before you open your mouth and show how ignorant you are.
why do you people even respond to this guy?????????
Gary, The United States Marines and all of the other forces for that matter train with many nations. Its an on going effort to with many of our allies for many reasons. Before popping off at the mouth try reading a few of the articles that have been out for a month or so. Better yet, get your ass off your couch and suit up. Then possibly you will be informed enough to have your input heard. If not, then sit back and enjoy the freedoms you hae due to the sacrifices that our Marines and their familys endure for you.
I can say all this because my son, my Marine is in VMM-261 and right in the middle of this.
did you read the article jacka$$?
IT IS NOT A HELICOPER, ITS A TIL- ROTOR, which actually more dangerous than a helicopter. Osprey has a long histroy of problems. It is more complicated than a helicopter, and the transition between vertical and horizontal flight is probably the most dangerous period, whereas a helicopter is most dangerous for the actual take-off and landing. This is why we will probably not see tilt rotors in commercial carriers. It is great for what it can do, but there is a sever cost.
Sincere condolences to the families, friends and Marine familiy of those killed.
May the injured survive theri injuries and have a speedy and full recovery.
My best friend is in Morocco participating in this exercise, but I just got an email from him that said he was close and saw everything but was safe. Thank God! Prayers for the families that were not as lucky and for the safe recovery of those injured. Thanks for all you do Marines!
Those aircraft are and always have been death traps.......Lots of problems with them right from the time the Corps got them.
Rest in peace my brother Marines.
Does NOBODY at MSNBC do fact checking or pay anyone to do so?? A V-22 Osprey is NOT a helicopter..it is is a VSTOL tilt rotor aircraft...you guys really make yourselves look dumb when you print stories like this and then get an important detail wrong...
Mad - They look dumb because they are dumb. What pass for journalists on these 'mainstream' 'news' sites can't spell without spellcheck and never check their facts.
Condolences and prayers go to the fallen soldiers' family and friends. Pray that the wounded soldiers have God-speed recovery.
RIP my brothers and prayers for the family's and comrads of those were lost and injured.
May God Be with there Families
Marines For Life