MARINE HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR EL CENTRO KILLS 4

A Marine helicopter that lifted off from the Twentynine Palms Marine Base crashed during a southern California training mission and authorities say all four crew members were killed. The military says the CH-53E Super Stallion went down shortly after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday near El Centro near the Mexican border. The helicopter was with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar Air Station near San Diego. A press release said the helicopter was engaged in “Squadron training consisting of aircraft landings in unimproved zones.” The cause of the crash is under investigation. Authorities aren’t releasing the names of the victims or their home towns until next of kin have been notified.