Two missing CH-53E helicopters are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 in Hawaii. USMC Photo
An active search and rescue operation is underway following reports that two U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E helicopters have collided off the coast of Hawaii.
On its Facebook page, the Marine Corps stated, “The Marine Corps can confirm there is an active search and rescue operation ongoing for two CH-53E helicopters off the coast of Oahu. The U.S. Coast Guard is currently conducting search and rescue operations. The aircraft are from Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The III Marine Expeditionary Force will provide more details as they become available.”
In a tweet, the Marine Corps confirmed that the aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW in Hawaii. The III Marine Expeditionary Force stated that the CH-53Es involved in the incident were carrying 12 crew members.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification of two possible downed military helicopters at 11:38 p.m. Thursday. Watchstanders at the sector transferred the case to the Coast Guard District 14 Command Center, also in Honolulu, where watchstanders directed the launch of Coast Guard aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point and requested assistance from other local agencies.
Just after midnight, a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter arrived on scene and located a debris field. Crews involved in the search include the Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter and a HC-130 Hercules airplane, a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter from Kaneohe Bay, and a helicopter and rescue boat from the Honolulu Fire Department.
The Coast Guard has also directed the Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska to get underway to the scene. Ahi is an 87-foot patrol boat currently in Maui. Kiska is a 110-foot patrol boat in Hilo.
Conditions are reportedly mostly cloudy skies with light southeast wind and scattered showers. A high surf advisory is in effect for the north facing shore of Oahu, with 10 to 15 foot waves building to 25 to 30 foot waves later in the day.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Marine Corps.
