DOD IDENTIFIES MARINES KILLED AND INJURED IN CH-53E CRASH

January 20, 2002

Two Marines were killed and five others were injured when a Marine CH-53E deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom crashed yesterday at approximately 10 p.m. EST in a remote region 60 kilometers south of Bagram in Northern Afghanistan. The injuries are categorized as moderate. None of the injuries is life threatening. The injured have been evacuated to a medical facility within the Afghanistan theatre of operations. 

The two Marines killed were:

Staff Sgt. Walter F. Cohee III, 26, from Wicomico, Md. Cohee joined the Marine Corps Aug. 3, 1993, and was a communications navigations systems technician.

Staff Sgt. Dwight J. Morgan, 24, from Mendocino, Calif. Morgan joined the Marine Corps Aug. 15, 1995, and was a helicopter mechanic.

The injured Marines are:

Cpl. David J. Lynne, 23, from Mecklenburg, N.C. Lynne joined the Marine Corps Feb. 23, 1998, and is a crew chief.

Cpl. Ivan A. Montanez, 22, from Hayes, Texas. Montanez joined the Marine Corps Jan. 12, 1999, and is a helicopter mechanic.

Cpl. Stephen A. Sullivan, 24, from Pickens, S.C. Sullivan joined the Marine Corps April 21, 1998, and is a crew chief.

Capt. William J. Cody, 30, from Middlesex, N.J. Cody joined the Marine Corps Sep. 17, 1995, and is a CH-53E pilot.

Capt. Douglas V. Glasgow, 33, from Wayne, Ohio. Glasgow joined the Marine Corps May 27, 1992, and is a CH-53E pilot.

The Marines and the aircraft were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Aircraft Group 16. Elements of HMH-361 are attached to Combined Task Force 58 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. HMH-361 is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and is home-based at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif.

The CH-53E Super Stallion is heavy-lift helicopter designed for the transportation of material, supplies and personnel.

There is no indication of enemy fire at this time; however, the accident is under investigation. Additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.