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Justin Everett (Via Facebook) |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Governor Jerry Brown has issued a statement honoring the seven Marines killed in an aviation training accident earlier this week.
Flags were flown at half-staff over the State Capitol Saturday in honor of the six Camp Pendleton-based Marines and a seventh stationed in Yuma, Ariz., were killed when two helicopters collided during a nighttime training exercise out of the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
"The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to their families and friends at this difficult time," the statement read.
The crash occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday during routine training operations, the Marine Corps said in a statement.
The collision, near the Chocolate Mountains along the California-Arizona border, involved an AH-1W "Super Cobra" attack helicopter and a UH-1Y "Huey" utility chopper.
Two of the Marines who died were aboard the AH-1W Cobra and the rest were in the UH-1 Huey utility helicopter.
They were flying in a remote section of the 1.2-million-acre Yuma Training Range Complex as part of a two-week standard training called "Scorpion Fire" that involved a squadron of about 450 troops from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The aircraft were part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and based in Camp Pendleton in California.
The six Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at MCAS Miramar.
The names of all 7 Marines were released today: Sgt. Justin Avery Everett, Lance Cpl. Corey Little, Major Thomas Budrejko, Capt. Benjamin Cerniglia, Capt. Michael M. Quin, Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott and Capt. Nathan W. Anderson.
Sgt. Justin Everett
The 1996 graduate of Reedley High School came from a family of military brothers who all loved flying, his parents told KFSN-TV in Fresno.
"They all loved what they do, and Justin especially," said his mother, Patsy Everett said.
The 33-year old grew up in Fresno, but was currently living with his family in Riverside County.
He left a job as a youth pastor at a Fresno church to join the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to his mother, Patsy Everett.
Everett was preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan, his fourth wartime tour of duty.
He leaves behind a wife, Holly and two young children.
Lance Cpl. Corey Little
The 25-year old, of Fayetteville, was a Huey helicopter crew chief, his mother Wanda Little told the Associated Press.
Flags were flown at half-staff over the State Capitol Saturday in honor of the six Camp Pendleton-based Marines and a seventh stationed in Yuma, Ariz., were killed when two helicopters collided during a nighttime training exercise out of the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
"The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to their families and friends at this difficult time," the statement read.
The crash occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday during routine training operations, the Marine Corps said in a statement.
The collision, near the Chocolate Mountains along the California-Arizona border, involved an AH-1W "Super Cobra" attack helicopter and a UH-1Y "Huey" utility chopper.
Two of the Marines who died were aboard the AH-1W Cobra and the rest were in the UH-1 Huey utility helicopter.
They were flying in a remote section of the 1.2-million-acre Yuma Training Range Complex as part of a two-week standard training called "Scorpion Fire" that involved a squadron of about 450 troops from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The aircraft were part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and based in Camp Pendleton in California.
The six Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at MCAS Miramar.
The names of all 7 Marines were released today: Sgt. Justin Avery Everett, Lance Cpl. Corey Little, Major Thomas Budrejko, Capt. Benjamin Cerniglia, Capt. Michael M. Quin, Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott and Capt. Nathan W. Anderson.
Sgt. Justin Everett
The 1996 graduate of Reedley High School came from a family of military brothers who all loved flying, his parents told KFSN-TV in Fresno.
"They all loved what they do, and Justin especially," said his mother, Patsy Everett said.
The 33-year old grew up in Fresno, but was currently living with his family in Riverside County.
He left a job as a youth pastor at a Fresno church to join the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to his mother, Patsy Everett.
Everett was preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan, his fourth wartime tour of duty.
He leaves behind a wife, Holly and two young children.
Lance Cpl. Corey Little
The 25-year old, of Fayetteville, was a Huey helicopter crew chief, his mother Wanda Little told the Associated Press.
