SPOKANE-- A Spokane man was killed Wednesday when two helicopters belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing collided along the California/Arizona border killing seven Marines.
Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, Wash., enlisted in the Marine Corps May 4, 2009 and served as a helicopter crew chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys.
His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
The collision took place during "routine training operations" at around 10 p.m. ET Wednesday on the border between Arizona and California, according to the statement. A UH-1 Huey utility helicopter and an AH-1W Cobra helicopter collided in "a remote portion" of the desert just outside of a training range complex near Yuma.
The collision is under investigation.
The desert area is favored by the U.S. military and its allies for training because the hot, dusty conditions and craggy mountains replicate Afghanistan's harsh environment and the clear weather allows for constant flying.
Cpl. Steven Posy with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar told The Associated Press Thursday the weather "was pretty mild last night."
Several accidents have happened in the past year involving Marine training in Southern California.
In September, a helicopter went down during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton, killing the two Marines onboard and setting off a fast-moving brush fire at Camp Pendleton.
In August, two Marines were ejected from their F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet as it plunged toward the Pacific Ocean. The two Marines spent four hours in the dark, chilly ocean before they were rescued. Both suffered broken bones but survived.
In July, a decorated Marine from western New York was killed during a training exercise when his UH-1Y helicopter went down in a remote section of Camp Pendleton.
Another Hornet sustained at least $1 million damage when its engine caught fire on March 30 aboard the USS John C. Stennis during a training exercise about 100 miles off the San Diego coast. Eight sailors, a Marine and two civilians were injured.
A decade ago, in February 2002, a helicopter crash in the Chocolate Mountains California killed two Camp Pendleton Marines and injured two others. The UH-1N Huey was on a routine training mission in the Naval gunnery range.
The AH-1W carries a crew of two, a pilot and gunner, and is considered the Marine Corps' main attack helicopter. The UH-1Y, which is replacing the aging version of the Huey utility helicopter first used during the Vietnam War, carries a crew of one or two pilots, a crew chief and other crew members, depending on the mission.
“Every single one of these Marines impacted our squadron in their own special way and the entire Marine Corps aviation community is feeling their tragic loss. During this difficult time, I ask that you pray for the families and friends of the warriors we have lost.” said Lt. Col. Stephen Lightfoot, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 commanding officer.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of the Marines involved in this tragic accident," said Col. Bradford Gering, commanding officer, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One. "We will do everything in our power to support all those affected and honor their memories."
