CG-130 collides with Marine Cobra helo...

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Lets hope that we find everyone. So far we haven't found anything. Lets pray that we will. There are numerous assets u/w right now searching.. God bless

 

[FX4 SAPPER]

I read this earlier. It seems that every time there is an aviation accident in the military, another one follows real close after wards. Hopefully they are able to recover as many as they can.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

yea the updates are that it doesn't look to good

 

[SLOW95]

Damn. Thoughts and prayers go to family and friends.

 

[chromeyellow98]

wtf....how did this happen?

 

[FLYIN]

I doubt the Cobra even knew what hit them and probably pretty much disintegrated on impact. All but certain that crew will never be found. Cobra was from HMLA 469 which is a new squadron that was just stood up back in June. Major Sam Leigh and 1stLt Claiborne. Didn't know either one of them.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

I don't know where AutumnAxis gets his info but there was a huge fire ball and explosions. I really hope that they survived but I will believe it when it hits the news.. The question is why the hell would the beacon activate 14days after!?! that's rediculous. I don't really know though.. I knew the pilot and one of the 2nds onboard the C130.. here are the names

The Marine Corps chopper, based at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, was piloted by Maj. Samuel Leigh, 35, of Kennebec, Maine. The co-pilot was 1st Lt. Thomas Claiborne, 26, of Douglas, Col.

The Coast Guard plane was based in Sacramento, and the Marine Corps today identified its pilot as Lt. Cmdr. Che J. Barnes, 35, of Capay, a small town in Yolo County. The plane was co-piloted by Lt. Adam W. Bryant, 28, of Crewe, Va.

The other five crew members were:

-- Chief Petty Officer John F. Seidman, 43, Stockton;

-- Petty Officer 2nd Class Carl P. Grigonis, 35, Mayfield Heights, Ohio;

-- Petty Officer 2nd Class Monica L. Beacham, 29, Decaturville, Tenn.;

-- Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason S. Moletzsky, 26, Norristown, Pa.; and

-- Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny R. Kreder II, 22, Elm Mott, Texas.

 

[THE_STIG]

Prayers go out to all families.

 

[BadMoFo]

here is my question. it is my understanding that the cobra was flying in a group of 4 helos. if this is correct then did the other 3 stay on station? cause you would think it would be easier to find any survivors if there are any with observers there.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

that's what i don't understand, is why the hell the other helo's didn't stick around??? they could have waited to see if people egressed or the exact point of the crash lat and long wise so CG can use that point as DATUM which is the point of origin for SAR..

 

[RDJ]

I have heard that they were training for deployment to Iraq and the plane was doing drug duty. It would not surprise me at all to find that they both had their lights off. Hope everyone gets found ... not having closure in a case like this really sux for the families

 

[FLYIN]

I have heard that they were training for deployment to Iraq and the plane was doing drug duty. It would not surprise me at all to find that they both had their lights off. Hope everyone gets found ... not having closure in a case like this really sux for the families

I don't know all the details, but I do know they weren't training for a deployment to Iraq. We shut that place down and we are no longer going to Iraq. All Afghanistan from here out for the Marines. HMLA 469 is a new squadron and going nowhere for another 18 months where they will send out a det on the 31st MEU in Okinawa. The unit they were supporting at San Clemente Island may have been training for upcoming deployment to OEF and 469 was in support. The way I understood it is yes it was a Marine flight of 4. 2 CH-53s being escorted by a section of H-1s. Training mission yes. Thats all we do when we are home is train. The C-130 was operating independently of those ops. I heard they were doing a SAR mission. The helos probably had IR lights on, viewable by NVGs only (I can get into micron ranges if you really want to geek out with me). The crash occured about 25 minutes after EENT which means all crews should have had no reason to not have been goggled. I can speculate a million things though at this point. I will just have to wait another month or so after the investigation is complete to hear what happened. I can pretty much assure you that the other 3 helos did not leave the scene. The senior member of the flight or member designated in the brief prior to execution would be what is called the on scene commander. That is the person that would start coordinating the recovery or rescue of any crew. That is true for internal to a flight or external, i.e. we are flying and come upon a downed aircraft. Basic brief if I were to be on scene commander is that I would assume the duty until one of 4 things happen. 1) I am relieved by a more suitable asset. 2) we reach our set bingo, 3) We have an emergency of our own. 4) The rescue is complete. So with that being said the other 3 helos didn't just bounce after their boy went down. They started the recovery effort prior to the Coasties or whatever rescue asset showed up and relieved them.

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

P.M. me your info: Name, rank, and where you work. I'll come talk to you Monday. I as well as everyone else in the HMLA community would like to know what you know.

I hope that you find this info out.. I don't really believe someone just coming on a forum with 1 post and this is it.. If I remember correctly I believe your a Captain so I hope that you get to the bottom of it :beer:

I don't know all the details, but I do know they weren't training for a deployment to Iraq. We shut that place down and we are no longer going to Iraq. All Afghanistan from here out for the Marines. HMLA 469 is a new squadron and going nowhere for another 18 months where they will send out a det on the 31st MEU in Okinawa. The unit they were supporting at San Clemente Island may have been training for upcoming deployment to OEF and 469 was in support. The way I understood it is yes it was a Marine flight of 4. 2 CH-53s being escorted by a section of H-1s. Training mission yes. Thats all we do when we are home is train. The C-130 was operating independently of those ops. I heard they were doing a SAR mission. The helos probably had IR lights on, viewable by NVGs only (I can get into micron ranges if you really want to geek out with me). The crash occured about 25 minutes after EENT which means all crews should have had no reason to not have been goggled. I can speculate a million things though at this point. I will just have to wait another month or so after the investigation is complete to here what happened. I can pretty much assure you that the other 3 helos did not leave the scene. The senior member of the flight or member designated in the brief prior to execution would be what is called the on scene commander. That is the person that would start coordinating the recovery or rescue of any crew. That is true for internal to a flight or external, i.e. we are flying and come upon a downed aircraft. Basic brief if I were to be on scene commander is that I would assume the duty until one of 4 things happen. 1) I am relieved by a more suitable asset. 2) we reach our set bingo, 3) We have an emergency of our own. 4) The rescue is complete. So with that being said the other 3 helos didn't just bounce after their boy went down. They started the recovery effort prior to the Coasties or whatever rescue asset showed up and relieved them.

Yes the C130 was cordinating Search and Rescue during the time of the crash, but I don't understand why they would be running without there lights.. Yes you are right as the other helos would become On Scene Commander and would start corrdinating the search until another asset (CG) got there and because OSC..:beer:

 

[FLYIN]

All crew including both the AH-1W Cobra and C-130 are classified as lost at sea. 0830 this morning the operation was updated from a rescue effort to a recovery effort. All thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen.

 

[RDJ]

MODERATORS:

I recommend post #7 by AutumnAxis be deleted and account removed. The info he/she tried to pass was 100% inacurate and in bad taste for this thread. It would be one thing if he had been a regular poster, but the fact that his sole post was this utter bullshit was at best in poor taste for this thread. Not that I wouldn't have liked his post to have been true, but making something up like that was uncalled for.

All crew including both the AH-1W Cobra and C-130 are classified as lost at sea. 0830 this morning the operation was updated from a rescue effort to a recovery effort. All thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen.

Since you have the low down recommend you use the "report post" button or send a pm to one of the Mods .... more quick action would likely result

 

[FLYIN]

Since you have the low down recommend you use the "report post" button or send a pm to one of the Mods .... more quick action would likely result

Good call. Hope your enjoying your well deserved time at home. :beer:

 

[RDJ]

Good call. Hope your enjoying your well deserved time at home. :beer:

Thanks LOL has been kind of a mixed bag .. having to cram a months worth of plans into a week and a half really isn't working well at all hahahahaha.

the comment was made that I was going to spend less this trip than any previous one, I kind of laughed and went down the list ... and nope not true at all LOL!

on the other hand I know I am going to Ramadi when I get back next week ... got a SVTP'er already there so it should be fun.

 

[FLYIN]

I hope that you find this info out.. I don't really believe someone just coming on a forum with 1 post and this is it.. If I remember correctly I believe your a Captain so I hope that you get to the bottom of it :beer:

Yes figured out who that was. I happen to be his OIC. This is going to be funny.

 

[STAMPEDE3]

Opps,
Missed one.

 

[type911]

Rest in peace Maj Sam Leigh USMC Norwich class of 1996. You were a Cadet to look up to and a Marine to envy. Thank you for the raids you took us out on in the wee hours of early morning in VT. Your adherence to the core values of Norwich and the Marine Corps were inspiring. You will be missed.

To the Families of Coast Guard Rescue 1705. The Coast Guard is a small service where everyone is connected and times like these shake the foundation of our unity. The loss of one brother or sister effects the entire service. Know that the entire Coast Guard grieves with you for your loss. Being such a small service it is our loss as well. Rest in peace crew of CG Rescue 1705.