Two Black Hawk mechanics are killed and three others wounded when navy attack helicopter crashes

Two helicopter mechanics serving in an elite nighttime unique operations unit died and three many others ended up wounded when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in what has been explained as an accident late on Thursday, the United States armed service said.

Employees Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta, 33, of Brick, New Jersey, and Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton, 22, of San Bernardino, California, were being killed late on Thursday in an aviation mishap just off the coastline of San Diego, in accordance to the Army.

The names of the hurt soldiers have not been introduced.

A Pentagon official instructed The San Diego Union Tribune that the incident was element of ‘routine training’ on San Clemente Island, which lies some 70 miles west of San Diego.

Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta (still left), 33, of Brick, New Jersey, and Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton (right), 22, of San Bernardino, California, had been killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during regime training off the coast of San Diego on Thursday, the US Army said

Both equally Marketta and Shelton enlisted in the Army as repairers of the 15T UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter (viewed in the earlier mentioned stock picture)

San Clemente Island, which is controlled by the United States Navy and falls less than the command of Naval Base Coronado, has an airfield, a bombing range, and a education facility for specific functions units

The island, which is managed by the United States Navy and falls below the command of Naval Foundation Coronado, has an airfield, a bombing vary, and a coaching facility for particular functions units, which includes the SEALs.

‘The loss of Employees Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this Regiment that will in no way wholly mend,’ mentioned Col. Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th Exclusive Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

‘Their amount of determination to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary company in the Military is the embodiment of what it usually means to be a Night time Stalker and a Soldier.’

In 2011, Marketta enlisted in the Army as a repairer for the 15T UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

After finishing sophisticated training, he was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

The 160th SOAR (A), acknowledged famously by their nickname Night time Stalkers, presents helicopter aviation aid for distinctive functions forces that carry out nighttime missions.

In Might 2011, the Evening Stalkers delivered include to specific forces included in the raid that killed Osama bin-Laden, though it is not recognised if Marketta participated in this operation.

Shelton’s aunt, Kristen Ray, posted video on her Fb account exhibiting a tribute to her late nephew. With the Star Spangled Banner participating in in the track record, her 10-calendar year-aged son, Evan Ray, drove a race auto around a keep track of even though Shelton’s brother, Hunter Shelton, held aloft an American flag in San Bernardino County, California, on Friday

In 2012, Marketta done an sophisticated teaching and evaluation program in 2012.

He then used 18 months as an plane repairer in 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (A).

In 2014, Marketta turned an MH-60M crew main in the 1st Battalion.

That very same yr, he was deployed to Afghanistan to assistance Procedure Enduring Independence.

He was also sent to Iraq with his battalion in help of Procedure Inherent Solve.

Marketta was awarded a number of honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Army Very good Carry out Medal, the Air Medal, the World wide War on Terrorism Provider Medal, and other commendations.

Shelton also enlisted in the Military in 2016 as a Black Hawk repairer. He went as a result of the exact coaching routine that Marketta finished.

In 2018, Shelton was deployed as a crew main to Afghanistan.

Shelton’s aunt, Kristen Ray, posted a movie on her Facebook account showing a tribute to her late nephew.

With the Star Spangled Banner enjoying in the track record, her 10-year-outdated son, Evan Ray, drove a race car or truck about a keep track of while Shelton’s brother, Hunter Shelton, held aloft an American flag.

‘I truthfully have no terms suitable now… I’m even now in stock…,’ Kristen Ray explained to VVNG.com

This is the next lethal incident to assert the life of soldiers throughout education functions on San Clemente Island in the previous month.

Nine assistance associates died after their amphibious assault car sank in deep h2o during a education work out on July 30. 

8 Marines and 1 sailor died in the accident. An investigation is ongoing.