An US Marine Corps UH-1Y helicopter assigned to HMLA-469 squadron went missing on May 12. Wreckage found on May 15
U.S. Joint Task Force 505 (JTF 505) Operation Sahayogi Haat (Helping Hand) was sent for relief operations following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country April 25.
US Marine Corps, May 15, 2015 - CHARIKOT, Nepal - An US Marine Corps UH-1Y assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 sent to Nepal as part of Joint Task Force 505 (JTF 505) Operation Sahayogi Haat (Helping Hand) for relief operations following the earthquakes that hit the country went missing on May 12 with six U.S. Marines and two Nepali service members on board.
Timeline of events
May 03, 2015
Two UH-1Y from HMLA-469 arrived in Nepal directly from Exercise Balikatan 2015 in the Philippines.
May 13, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - The search continues for six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese service members who were aboard a missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter. The aircraft went missing May 12 near Charikot, Nepal, while conducting rescue and recovery operations following the earthquakes that occurred earlier that day. The Huey was flying in support of Joint Task Force 505 supporting Operation Sahayogi Haat.
Finding the missing service members is priority, but support to Nepal as they deal with the aftermath of the recent quakes continues. Two UH-1Y Hueys with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, and two MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, flew approximately 29 flight hours yesterday.
The two Hueys, whose priority was the rescue and recovery of the missing service members, evacuated 14 Nepalese locals affected by the recent earthquakes yesterday. Additionally, the Osprey’s supported the movement of search and rescue teams looking for survivors of the 12 May earthquake.
The Indian and Nepalese militaries continue to provide support to the search for the missing service members.
The names and identities of the personnel on board the missing UH-1Y Huey are being withheld due to the unknown status of the service members and to allow for proper notification of next of kin for all the service members.
May 15, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - On May 15, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Japanese Standard Time, a Nepalese search team identified possible wreckage of a downed aircraft approximately 15 miles north of Charikot, Nepal.
Joint Task Force 505 currently has a team of pararescuemen and a combat rescue officer inbound to assess the wreckage and determine if it is the downed UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469.
The UH-1Y Huey went missing May 12 near Charikot, Nepal, while conducting humanitarian assistance as part of JTF 505 supporting Operation Sahayogi Haat. The UH-1Y Huey was delivering humanitarian aid to those affected by the recent earthquakes.
May 15, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - Joint Task Force 505 personnel identified the wreckage of a missing Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter that went missing May 12 in Nepal.
The helicopter, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, was delivering humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat, the U.S. military earthquake relief effort.
The helicopter was reported missing with six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese service members aboard, JTF 505 officials said May 13.
Today at approximately 3:00 p.m. Japanese Standard Time a Nepalese search team identified possible wreckage of a downed aircraft approximately eight miles north of Charikot, Nepal.
Joint Task Force 505 dispatched a team of pararescuemen and a combat rescue officer to assess the wreckage. At approximately 5:05 p.m. Japanese Standard Time the team confirmed that the wreckage was that of the missing helicopter.
JTF 505 currently has a team of four pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer on the ground. Two Hueys assigned to HMLA 469 and one MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 are operating in support of the survey.
The assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be conducted.
The American chopper was spotted in the Gorthali area, at an altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 meters), 8 miles north of Charikot said Nepalese Brig. Gen. Binoj Basnet.
Timeline of events
May 03, 2015
Two UH-1Y from HMLA-469 arrived in Nepal directly from Exercise Balikatan 2015 in the Philippines.
May 13, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - The search continues for six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese service members who were aboard a missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter. The aircraft went missing May 12 near Charikot, Nepal, while conducting rescue and recovery operations following the earthquakes that occurred earlier that day. The Huey was flying in support of Joint Task Force 505 supporting Operation Sahayogi Haat.
Finding the missing service members is priority, but support to Nepal as they deal with the aftermath of the recent quakes continues. Two UH-1Y Hueys with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, and two MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, flew approximately 29 flight hours yesterday.
The two Hueys, whose priority was the rescue and recovery of the missing service members, evacuated 14 Nepalese locals affected by the recent earthquakes yesterday. Additionally, the Osprey’s supported the movement of search and rescue teams looking for survivors of the 12 May earthquake.
The Indian and Nepalese militaries continue to provide support to the search for the missing service members.
The names and identities of the personnel on board the missing UH-1Y Huey are being withheld due to the unknown status of the service members and to allow for proper notification of next of kin for all the service members.
May 15, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - On May 15, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Japanese Standard Time, a Nepalese search team identified possible wreckage of a downed aircraft approximately 15 miles north of Charikot, Nepal.
Joint Task Force 505 currently has a team of pararescuemen and a combat rescue officer inbound to assess the wreckage and determine if it is the downed UH-1Y Huey with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469.
The UH-1Y Huey went missing May 12 near Charikot, Nepal, while conducting humanitarian assistance as part of JTF 505 supporting Operation Sahayogi Haat. The UH-1Y Huey was delivering humanitarian aid to those affected by the recent earthquakes.
May 15, 2015
CHARIKOT, Nepal - Joint Task Force 505 personnel identified the wreckage of a missing Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter that went missing May 12 in Nepal.
The helicopter, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, was delivering humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat, the U.S. military earthquake relief effort.
The helicopter was reported missing with six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese service members aboard, JTF 505 officials said May 13.
Today at approximately 3:00 p.m. Japanese Standard Time a Nepalese search team identified possible wreckage of a downed aircraft approximately eight miles north of Charikot, Nepal.
Joint Task Force 505 dispatched a team of pararescuemen and a combat rescue officer to assess the wreckage. At approximately 5:05 p.m. Japanese Standard Time the team confirmed that the wreckage was that of the missing helicopter.
JTF 505 currently has a team of four pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer on the ground. Two Hueys assigned to HMLA 469 and one MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 are operating in support of the survey.
The assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be conducted.
The American chopper was spotted in the Gorthali area, at an altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 meters), 8 miles north of Charikot said Nepalese Brig. Gen. Binoj Basnet.
UH-1Y Venom 168792 ( US Marine Corps )
See also |
HMLA-469
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 US Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom in
US Marine Corps US Marines Arrived to Support Nepal Earthquake Relief
Nepal Earthquake 2015
Fallen Marines Memorialized at US Embassy in Nepal
