Search for Marines suspended after Hawaii crash

The incident happed late on Thursday last week.

“We’ve found a widespread debris field on the ocean floor with parts of aircraft”, Jenkins said. Hours later, a Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 airplane spotted debris 2-1/2 miles off of Oahu.

Captain Jim Jenkins said it had been an “extremely difficult” decision to halt the search.

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) – Officials Tuesday suspended their massive search for 12 Marines who were aboard two helicopters that crashed off Hawaii last week.

The Coast Guard promised that families would be notified before plans to end the search, which has entered its fifth day.

Three of the four life rafts aboard the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters have been recovered, but none of the 12 missing crew have been found, the Coast Guard said.

“There are thousands praying for a positive outcome for these Marines and the search and rescue efforts”, the family of Sergeant Adam Schoeller said in a statement.

“Our focus is to locate these Marines and know with absolute certainty we’ve thoroughly canvassed every location we might find them”, said Lt. Scott Carr, Coast Guard 14th District public affairs officer.

On Saturday night, the Coast Guard Hercules crew engaged in the search was struck by a green laser off Haleiwa Beach Park.

She says there’s no indication anyone had ever been on any of the rafts.

“To the families that are most affected by this, our prayers and our support are to them”, he said.

A salvage ship from the Military Sealift Command arrived late Sunday from Pearl Harbor. The searches are layered on top of each other to provide multiple perspectives and fresh eyes on the scene. No additional debris was sighted. There are various ways that life rafts could be inflated, including a cord being pulled by debris, he said.

The Marines will continue to search for remains of the crew for the sake of closure for the families, he said.

“You would see a U.S. Marine wearing his equipment and uniform side-by-side with Marines from the Philippines or soldiers from Australian armed forces”, said Capt. Timothy Irish, public information officer, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force.

A memorial for the 12 Marines is planned for Friday at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, said Marine Brig. The search initially was hampered by darkness and rough waters with waves in excess of 10 feet, the Coast Guard said. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, of Hingham, Massachusetts; and Lance Cpl.