U.S. Marine from California one of 4 killed in Philippines plane crash

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A U.S. Marine from California was recognized by navy officers Sunday as considered one of 4 individuals killed when a airplane contracted by the U.S. navy crashed in a rice area within the southern Philippines.

Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, 22, of Lengthy Seashore, died Thursday within the crash of an plane that was conducting a routine mission “offering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance help on the request of our Philippine allies,” officers at Camp Pendleton, Calif., stated in a press release. Officers stated the reason for the crash was underneath investigation.

Three protection contractors additionally had been killed within the crash, navy officers have stated.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed the crash of a lightweight airplane in Maguindanao del Sur province. The our bodies of the 4 individuals had been retrieved from the wreckage in Ampatuan city, stated Ameer Jehad Tim Ambolodto, a security officer of Maguindanao del Sur.

U.S. forces have been deployed in a Philippine navy camp within the nation’s south for many years to assist present coaching and recommendation to Filipino forces battling Muslim militants. The area is dwelling to minority Muslims within the largely Roman Catholic nation.

Windy Beaty, a provincial disaster-mitigation officer, instructed the Related Press on Thursday that she obtained stories that residents noticed smoke coming from the airplane and heard an explosion earlier than the plane plummeted to the bottom about half a mile from a cluster of farmhouses.

Durham was skilled as an digital intelligence/electromagnetic warfare analyst assigned to 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Pressure Info Group, officers stated. He joined the Marines in January 2021 and was promoted to his present rank Feb. 1.

Durham’s awards embody the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Nationwide Protection Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and Naval Aircrew Insignia, officers stated.

“Sgt. Durham embodied the best traditions of the Marine Corps — exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless management,” Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion, stated within the assertion. “He was deeply revered and cherished by his fellow Marines.”