US Searching for 12 Marines, 2 Helicopters That Crashed Off Hawaii Coast

Family friend Christina Brown described Hart as upbeat and energetic and said he enjoys nature, boating and wakeboarding.

Hart is upbeat and energetic, Brown said, and a man who looks you in the eye.

Yesterday, Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, also known as Pegasus, supported Soldiers with the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and the 25th Infantry Division to conduct insert and extract training aboard Logistic Support Vessel 2, also known as the CW3 Harold C. Clinger.

Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright confirmed in a telephone interview that visibility was not good.

The Navy destroyers Gridley and John Paul Jones were taking part in search and rescue efforts along with the Coast Guard cutter Kiska and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, officials said, according to Marine Corps Times. Rescuers are contending with rough water conditions and poor visibility.

“Our goal is to find survivors”, he said.

An aunt posted on a Marine Corps Facebook page that three Marines visited Roche’s parents and reported that he was missing.

One of the 12 Marines missing in the helicopter crash off a Hawaiian coast is from north Alabama, sources say.

Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr said at a Friday news conference that the person saw aircraft flying then disappear and a fireball.

Anthony Kuenzel told CNN that his brother-in-law, Capt. Kevin Roche, is among them. Marine Cpl. Jonathan Faircloth was killed, and three other crew members were hurt. She said a high surf advisory is in effect for waves 10 to 15 feet building throughout the morning.

A safety zone has been set up from the shoreline that matches up with the accident site to 8 miles (13 km) out to sea, the Coast Guard said.

The City and County of Honolulu announced that Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach Park will be closed to public for the next couple days as the search continues.

The two CH-53E helicopters were involved in a collision shortly before midnight on Thursday. The names of the 12 crew members have not been released.

The two CH-53s are from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Semolina’s family is hoping to go to Hawaii as soon as possible during the search for their son.

Massachusetts State Police said one of the missing Marines is from a Hingham family.

The statement says they wait and pray for his return.