Marine Corps Identifies Five Killed In Southern California MV-22 Osprey Crash

The tilt-rotor aircraft crashed on June 8th near NAF El Centro during routine flight training.

byStetson Payne| PUBLISHED Jun 11, 2022 3:44 PM EDT

MV-22 osprey sunset — Aviation Boatswains Mates work on the MV-22 Osprey, assigned to 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit on the flight deck onboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) on June 7, 2022, during the BALTOPS 22 Exercise in the Baltic Sea. – BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, andexecuted by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity tostrengthen the combined response capability critical to preserving the freedom of navigation andsecurity in the Baltic Sea. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images).

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The United States Marine Corps has identified five aircrew killed in a tragic MV-22 Osprey crash on June 8 in Imperial County, California.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) identified the two pilots and three crew chiefs as:

Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California

Capt. John J. Sax (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC).

Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire

Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC).

Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois

Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC).

Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming.

Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC).

LCpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico.

LCpl. Evan A. Strickland (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC).

All were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 364 “Purple Foxes,” Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd MAW, and were based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California.

The wing released a statement from VMM-364’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. John C. Miller

"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of five Marines from the Purple Fox family," Miller said. "This is an extremely difficult time for VMM-364 and it is hard to express the impact that this loss has had on our squadron and its families.

“Our primary mission now is taking care of the family members of our fallen Marines and we respectfully request privacy for their families as they navigate this difficult time. We appreciate all the prayers and support from the strong extended Purple Fox family and want them to know that more information will be forthcoming on how to help."

A Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 (HSC-3) based out of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego crashed near El Centro the next day, June 10, though all four onboard survived. Five days earlier a Super Hornet crashed near China Lake, in the Mojave Desert, killing the pilot.

Suffice it to say this has been a very hard month for naval aviation in California. Our deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who perished in these incidents.

Contact the editor: Tyler@thedrive.com

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