12 feared dead in military helicopter collision off Hawaii coast - report

The USCG Cutters Kiska and Ahi have joined the search from the Coast Guard base at Sand Island in Honolulu. The Gridley is from San Diego, and sailed from Pearl Harbor where she was making a port call. The Jones is home ported there. They're both providing surface search teams and landing pads and refueling for the helicopters involved in the search.

In addition, at least one MH-60 from MCAS Kaneohe has joined a CG H-65 and C-130 from Barbers Point (Yes, I know, it's Kalaeloa now but I knew it as Barbers Point, deal with it). Thirty Marines from CLB 3 and MAG 30 are providing food, water, and other support to the searchers.

m.military.com...

It's believed that Capt Kevin Roche was one of the pilots on board. No one has been identified yet, but two instructors were on board in addition to the four crew.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Definetly not my choice of news from anywhere. God be with
them all and bring them home. Where ever you decide that
should be.

In addition to the high seas they're reporting poor visibility due to rain squalls moving through the area.

One of my buddies out there has been following this all day and said there's a state of shock in the community he is a part of. At this point it appears to be a recovery operation, and the fear is that they won't find at least some of them, if they're able to find them at all.

God's speed to them all.
I hope for the possibility that some survived but the chances seem remote at best.

The families of Ty Hart and Chris Orlando have identified them as being on board.

It's believed that two Houston area Marines were on board as well. Maj Shawn Campbell, and Cpl Matthew Drown were believed to have been on board at the time. Maj Campbell has a wife and four children.

Sgt Dillon Semolina has also been identified as being on board. The weather is improving but the surf is still high, hampering search efforts somewhat.

The search continued overnight. I saw one report that said the waves are expected to drop to 10-15 feet today. Marine teams are finding and recovering debris on shore.

Lt Josh Turner and Capt Steven Torbert were identified by family as being on board.

The sea search has covered 5,000 square miles, and the ground search has expanded further down the coast. They're dealing with 12 mph winds and 13 foot seas.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Tough on the families.

I hope conditions ease quickly, the searchers must be feeling the frustration as well.

The missing are:

Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, 41, College Station, Texas.
Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis, Missouri.
Capt. Steven R. Torbert, 29, Florence, Alabama.
Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24,Chaska, Minnesota.
Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, Gardners, Pennsylvania.
Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, 22, Woodruff, South Carolina.
Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, Florala, Alabama.
Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, 23, Spring, Texas.
Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, Fort Myers, Florida.
Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, Hingham, Massachusetts.
Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, Aumsville, Oregon

www.nbcnews.com...

Judging by witness statements it will be a miracle if any are found alive. It's doubtful any of them got out of either helicopter it the witnesses are correct.

A Navy P-3 and Honolulu lifeguards on personal water craft have joined the search. The Coast Guard C-130 was hit with a laser from shore during the search last night. Fortunately the crew was not directly exposed. They were forced to change course in the search area though.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It takes a special kind of stupid to aim a lazer at aircraft.

Same dolts prolly light forest fires in their down time ... pfft !

a reply to: Timely

Yeah it does. But there's a lot of that out there. Far more than people realize.

The Coast Guard is working with the Marines, using the Probability of Survival Decision Aid to try to determine how long any survivor could survive in the water. As of this morning they had no plans to change to a recovery operation and were continuing the search and rescue.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Good to see that the rescuers have faith in the survival training instilled in these men.

I just hope they got a chance to employ such skills ...

Nice job of keeping the updates flowing Zap.

As many as three life rafts have been recovered, including at least one that was inflated. There was no evidence anyone was ever on them.

Debris "consistent with the CH-53" has been recovered. The surf is much lower today, and an underwater component has been added to the search. It's still a SAR at this point, not a recovery.

The search was suspended at sunset Tuesday. They searched 115 hours over 5 days, and covered 40,530 square nautical miles. The aircraft remains were found at 325 feet, 2 1/2 miles off shore. A memorial service will be held Friday at Kaneohe. The Marines are now in charge of salvaging the wreckage and the investigation.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Sad outcome.

My thoughts to the families and all concerned .

God Speed.

a reply to: Timely

I wouldn't be shocked if they find them in or near the wreckage on the bottom.

The Marines officially declared them deceased.