The U.S. Navy announced a “safety pause” for non-deployed aircraft on Saturday following multiple recent military crashes in California.
The news was shared to provide Naval Air Forces time to review risks and add additional safety training, according to a statement from U.S. Navy officials.
“As a result of recent crashes involving U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, Commander, Naval Air Forces has directed all non-deployed Navy aviation units to conduct a safety pause on June 13 in order to review risk-management practices and conduct training on threat and error-management processes,” the news release stated.
“In order to maintain the readiness of our force, we must ensure the safety of our people remains one of our top priorities,” it added. “Deployed units will conduct the safety pause at the earliest possible opportunity.”
All five U.S. Marines aboard a military aircraft that crashed in Southern California on Wednesday died in the accident, according to Marine Corps officials on Thursday.
The Marines crashed during a training mission involving an MV-22B Osprey near Glamis, a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We mourn the loss of our Marines in this tragic mishap. Our hearts go out to their families and friends as they cope with this tragedy,” Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement.
Capt. John J. Sax, 33, from Placer, California, was among those killed in the crash. He was the son of former Major League Baseball star Steve Sax.
“It is with complete devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny was one of the five (5) US Marines that perished on Wednesday, June 8 in the Osprey Military crash near San Diego,” said Sax. “For those of you that knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, bright light, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and defending our country! He was my hero and the best man I know, there was no better person to defend our country.”
The four others killed in the accident included Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, and three tiltrotor crew chiefs: Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico.
On June 3, Navy Lt. Richard Bullock also died during a training mission in Trona, California.
“Bullock was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., and was flying a routine training mission at the time before his aircraft when down in a remote, unpopulated area. No civilians were harmed as a result of this incident,” according to the Navy’s statement.
“The incident is currently under investigation and the scene of the crash is secured by Navy and local authorities while recovery efforts are ongoing,” it added.
Four U.S. Marines were also killed in an Osprey helicopter crash during a NATO training exercise in Norway in March.