Title: Death of 5 U.S. Marines in Helicopter Crash

U.S. Marine Corps officials reported today, Thursday, that "five of its members have been confirmed dead following the crash of their helicopter in a remote area east of San Diego during training amid a strong winter storm." The Marine Corps added in a statement that the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter went down in the Pine Valley mountainous area east of the city on Tuesday evening while en route to a Marine air station in Miramar, California. Remains of the crew were discovered during a search and rescue operation carried out by Marine Corps forces and local authorities. The Corps stated that they are awaiting notification of the victims' families before releasing their names. The helicopter departed from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, about 60 kilometers northwest of Las Vegas, on Tuesday evening and was flying west amid snow and rain. It was reported missing after it was delayed by about eight hours. The cause of the crash is still unclear. The Corps stated that "an investigation is underway to determine the cause."