Between 2004 and 2019, the Marine Corps recorded more than 1,500 aviation incidents involving bird or animal strikes. The Corps previously had planned to deploy the King Stallion with a Marine expeditionary unit in 2025. Welcome back, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269. The jet “experienced an incident involving collapse of the nose landing gear” on Jan. 26, a Marine spokeswoman said. The island of Mindanao has been reeling from the effects of heavy rain, displacing an estimated 795,000 people. When the unit reaches fully operational capability, it will contain six squadrons with 10 planes per squadron. All were members of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, nicknamed the Flying Tigers. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s news release didn’t identify the five Marines, citing the military’s policy of waiting 24 hours after notifying next of kin. The Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from southern Nevada to San Diego. One member of the unit said she purchased a membership at a gym a 30-minute drive away to get access to the hot showers there. Load More