7 Marines Killed in California

Seven Marines were killed in California when two military helicopters collided and crashed over the desert near the Arizona state line during training exercises last night.

The deadly military crash involved an AH-1W Cobra carrying two crew members and a UH-1 Huey utility helicopter carrying five service members. 

Six military personnel were from Camp Pendleton in California and one was from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona:

• Maj. Thomas Budrejko, 37
• Sgt. Justin Everett, 33
• Capt. Nathan W. Anderson, 32
• Capt. Benjamin Cerniglia, 31
• Capt. Michael Quin, 28
• Lance Cpl. Corey Little, 25
• Lance Cpl. Nickoulas Elliott, 21

The aircraft collided and crashed on the California side of the Chocolate Mountains.

The desert is used by the U.S. military and allies for training because the desert heat, dust, dry conditions and mountainous terrain are very similar to the topography and climate of Afghanistan.

The California desert helicopter crash is under federal investigation.