Camp Pendleton Marines Killed In Iraq Chopper Crash

[thedrifter]

Camp Pendleton Marines Killed In Iraq Chopper Crash
Cause Of Crash Under Investigation

UPDATED: 10:28 am PST February 9, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- At least two Camp Pendleton-based Marines were among the seven service members killed this week in a helicopter crash in Iraq, it was reported Friday.

Thursday, family members and reports from hometown newspapers identified the dead as Sgt. Travis Pfister 27, of Richland, Wash., and Capt. Jennifer J. Harris, 38, of Swampscott, Mass. Both were killed when the CH-46 Sea Knight troop-transport helicopter they were riding in went down about 20 miles west of Baghdad.

The other service members killed were three Marines and two sailors, the North County Times reported.


The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Three Marine Corps officials said Wednesday that witnesses in nearby Marine aircraft saw the helicopter in flames but saw no evidence of hostile fire. The witnesses reported that the pilot appeared to attempt an emergency landing but lost control of the aircraft as it descended, according to the Times.

Pfister, Harris and the downed helicopter were from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, known as "Purple Foxes." The squadron is based at Camp Pendleton and attached to Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, the Times reported.

Ellie

[booksbenji]

Swampscott Marine dies in chopper crash in Iraq


http://news.bostonherald.com/images/localRegional/jharrisltp02082007.jpg

Jennifer Harris was killed yesterday while piloting her CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter north of Baghdad. (Courtesy)

By O’Ryan Johnson
Thursday, February 8, 2007 - Updated: 08:32 AM EST

An overachiever who graduated Swampscott High School bound for the Naval Academy, Jennifer Harris signed up for the most grueling program available: She wanted to be a Marine, according to the town’s veteran agent.

Harris, 27, a Marine Corps captain, was killed yesterday while piloting her CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter north of Baghdad.

“She was a great kid,” said Swampscott town veterans agent Jim Schultz. “This was her third tour. She was scheduled to come home next week.”

The crash - which killed five Marines and two sailors - remains under investigation by the Pentagon, with conflicting reports over what caused the aircraft to go down. Military officials told the Associated Press that mechanical problems caused the crash, while Iraqi officials say an insurgent anti-aircraft missile struck the helicopter. A terrorist group in Iraq claimed responsibility for the crash.

Swampscott hosted a “Welcome Home” party for Harris last summer and she kept in regular contact with folks back home, Schultz said.

“The police department sent her a care package, and she just sent one back,” he said.

He said in exchange for the baby wipes, soap, lip balm and regular essentials desert-stationed Marines request, Harris returned the favor by sending the police department a package with her squadron’s T-shirts, a flag that flew over a post in Iraq, and squadron patches. The package arrived about a week and a half ago, he said.

She was assigned to HMM-364,the “Purple Foxes,” a storied Marine squadron with a history that pre-dates the Vietnam War, the era when the CH-46 helicopter, also called the “Phrog,” was first introduced.

Though considered outdated by many military experts, the CH-46 is equipped with chaff and flare deterrents designed to confuse heat-seeking or radar-guided missiles.

Reached at home last night, her father Raymond Harris, declined to comment.


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/SgtCyn/usmc-aviationPatch.jpg


Rest in Peace, Ma'am and Sister of the Corps. I thank you and yours for your ultimate sacrifice and service to our Country. May GOD bless your soul.

Semper Fidelis,

books

[FistFu68]

:usmc:ALL GAVE SOME~SOME GAVE ALL~REST IN PEACE~MARINE'S :usmc:

[booksbenji]

Ms. Ellie, pls delete the swapscott reply and this wrong place sorry :sick: