Coast Guard: 2 Marine helicopters collide off Hawaii’s Oahu

This prompted the Marine Corps in Hawaii to transform its Sea Stallion helicopter squadron into an Osprey aircraft squadron a year later. And CNN affiliate KATU reported that a Stayton, Oregon, man was among the missing. He reportedly lives on base in Hawaii with his wife.

Ty Hart, 21, was born and raised in Stayton, said Christina Brown, a family friend who was encamped with his family on Friday evening.

Hart’s former high school football coach and teacher, Alan Kirby, says Hart was a positive kid who always had a smile on his face and called him a quick learner on the gridiron. Two Marines were killed and several were injured in a crash landing at Bellows Air Force Station in Waimanalo, Hawaii in May.

Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright says debris sightings can be reported to 911 so that authorities can respond quickly.

Participating in the search Friday were two Navy warships, Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska, a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a HC-130 Hercules airplane, a MH-60 helicopter, Honolulu Fire Department crews, and a helicopter rescue boat, officials said.

The search for the missing Marines was set back by the rain storms which brought about poor visibility and high surf. “They’re exceptional at what they do”, said Carr.

– Two Marine helicopters carrying 12 crew members collided off the Hawaiian island of Oahu during a nighttime training mission, and rescuers are searching a debris field in choppy waters Friday, military officials said.

Loved ones have identified to CNN three Marines missing in the crash, and a CNN affiliate has reported on a fourth missing Marine.

Mooers said each aircraft had six people aboard and that a debris field has been spotted 2½ miles off the coast, near the town of Haleiwa.

A Coast Guard cutter was on scene and another one was en route and expected to arrive shortly, McKenzie said.

A search and rescue mission is underway on O’ahu’s North Shore after 2 Marine Corps helicopters crashed Thursday evening during a routine training exercise off Hale’iwa.

“Thoughts & prayers are with our Marines & their families in Hawaii as search efforts continue”. The names of the 12 crew members have not been released.

Two CH-53 Marine helicopters crashed during a training flight off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.