The United States Marines Corps is reeling after a KC-130 plane traveling from Cherry Point, North Carolina crashed in Mississippi, killing 16 service members Monday afternoon.
Marine transport plane crash in Mississippi kills at least 12 people https://t.co/9UGMRRSrcN
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 11, 2017
UPDATE: As many as 16 people may have been on board Marine Corps plane that crashed in Miss. 12 bodies found https://t.co/eyUOD6v2zH
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 11, 2017
According to Marine Maj. Clark Carpenter,
“The identities of the service members whose lives were lost in this tragic accident are being withheld to allow time for their loved ones to be notified. While the details of the incident are being investigated, our focus remains on providing the necessary resources and support to the family and friends of these service members as they go through this extremely difficult time.”
Currently, the cause of the crash is unknown, but the plane went down in LeFlore County and the FAA contacted the Marine Corps when it disappeared from their radar.
The reserve unit involved in the crash was based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base, which is 60 miles north of New York City.
Military Times notes that this crash is one of the deadliest Marine aviation crashes in recent years, adding to increased concern over our military’s preparedness.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Marine Corps and the families of the victims who died in this horrific crash!
Please share and keep praying for their families.
Source: Military Times