Sorry if I'm repeating, but CNN (not headline) just reported a helicopter crash off CA, 7 marines still missing, cause unknown. Any CA locals here got more info?

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 09, 1999

Answers

Let me guess, y2k related. This kinda stuff does not belong on this site. Of course it's been posted. It's on every freakin newswire sine 1pm.

-- Wiffer (what the@heck.com), December 09, 1999.

Sorry I was at WORK and not sitting around reading every freakin newswire since 1pm, but thanks for takin the time to bring me up to speed, that is after all why I am here.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 09, 1999.

Next time Hokie, just say "FUCK OFF WIFFIE!"

-- lk (jj@hehe.net), December 09, 1999.

---Let me guess, y2k related---

Local news identifies the helo as attached to the 15th Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Pendleton on an excercise in support of Operation Millennium (whateverthehell that is).

-- (it_is@ll.related), December 09, 1999.

Wiffer, you obviously failed internet etiquette 101. Behave your self.

-- Bee (BeNice(benice@va.com), December 09, 1999.

Unless I'm sadly mistaken, Operation Millennium was mentioned in the last couple days on another thread. Something to do with a young man being called up from reserve to active duty. I don't remember if anyone actually said anything specifically about what this Op was about though.

me

-- me (me@me.com), December 09, 1999.

http://live.av.com/scripts/editorial.dll? eeid=1205653&eetype=article&render=y

"Search on After Marine Helicopter Crashes

12/10/99

---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Reuters) - The search for seven Marines still missing after their helicopter went down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California intensified late on Thursday. The U.S. Marine Corps helicopter with 18 Marines aboard crashed shortly after 1 p.m. PST during a training flight. Eleven of the Marines aboard were plucked from the water within an hour, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

Two were taken to the Balboa Naval Hospital, where they are reported in good condition. The others were taken to the USS Bonhomme Richard, which had been taking part in the joint Marine/Navy exercise when the accident happened. ``We will continue the search and rescue until all efforts are exhausted,'' Marine Corps First Lt. Patricia Restrepo told a press conference outside Camp Pendleton, where the Marines serve as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Coast Guard Lt. Eric Carter said the CH-46 ``Sea Knight'' helicopter, based at the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar, was approaching a landing on the Navy refueling ship Pecos when it crashed 25 miles southwest of San Diego.

The Sea Knight, described as an all-weather assault transport helicopter had taken off from the Bonhomme Richard, according to Restrepo.

Carter said the helicopter sank after the crash.

Restrepo said family members of all Marines involved in the crash were being notified and that an investigation was underway.

Defense officials in Washington said the rescue was made easier by the fact that the helicopter went down close to the Pecos, which is a part of the U.S. Navy's Sealift Command fleet.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jamie Devitt-Chacon said three Navy helicopters, one Coast Guard helicopter, two Coast Guard cutters and a number of Navy vessels were taking part in the search.

-- (indigoseahorse@hotmail.com), December 10, 1999.