15th MEU(SOC) 1999

  • ASIS, JAY J HM1

SSGT. VINCENT A. SABASTEANSKI, 1ST FORCE RECON - CUMBERLAND, ME SSGT. DAVID E. GALLOWAY, 1ST FORCE RECON - OREGON CITY, OR SSGT. JEFFERY R. STARLING, 1ST FORCE RECON - SOUTH DAYTON, FL HM1 JAY J. ASIS, 1ST FORCE - QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES CPL. MARK A. BACA, 1ST FORCE RECON - JEFFERSON CITY, CO GYSGT JAMES P PAIGE, JR, CREW CHIEF, HMM 166 - MIDDLESEX, NJ SSGT. WILLIAM C. DAME, EOD, MSSG-15 - YUMA, AZ

6 Marines and 1 United States Navy Hospital Corpsmen were reported missing and presumed dead after their CH-46 helicopter got tangled with the netting on the USNS Pecos and the pilot lost control and was pitched upside down into the pacific ocean off Point Loma, CA.

All Force Recon personnel were from the 5th Platoon. They were standing up and preparing to "Fast Rope" on to the deck of the USNS Pecos as part of a training exercise in preparation for deployment with the 15th MEU(SOC) next month. This was a Joint Operation with the SEALS, who were in the water aboard their boats preparing to assualt from the sea.

As the "bird" quickly sank (5 seconds), eleven (11) survivors "popped up" to the surface and were immediately picked up by the SEAL's.

 

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