Corps Identifies Camp Pendleton Marine Killed During 'Routine' Operations
The Marine Corps has identified the service member killed during a "aviation ground mishap" earlier this week at Camp Pendleton, California.
Cpl. Miguel A. Maya, an aircraft avionics technician and Texas native, died Tuesday in the early evening during what the Marine Corps described in a previous statement as "routine military operations" at the Southern California base.
Maya was a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, or HMLAT, 303. The incident is still under investigation, according to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, or 3rd MAW, the squadron's parent unit.
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"My heartfelt condolences go out to Cpl. Maya's loved ones during this difficult time," Lt. Col. Jason Caster, commanding officer of HMLAT-303, said in a statement Friday. "Our priority right now is taking care of the family of our fallen Marine, and ensuring the well-being of our Marines and their loved ones."
HMLAT 303 is part of Marine Aircraft Group 39 out of Camp Pendleton. The squadron trains pilots on the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z/W Viper. The squadron, activated in 1982, includes more than 400 Marines and sailors who fly and maintain over 30 aircraft, according to the unit's website.
Maya died at approximately 5 p.m. local time Tuesday, the service had previously announced. The Marine Corps did not specify how the Marine died, and it is also unclear what operation he was participating in at the time of his death.
Maya is the second known Marine to have died during routine military operations in less than a week. Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, a reconnaissance Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, was killed in a parachute incident in North Carolina last week.
Military.com attempted to contact Maya's family, but was unsuccessful.
Maya is one of six Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton to have died during military operations in recent months.
Lance Cpl. Joseph Whaley died due to the negligent firing of a weapon in August of last year during a night-time live-fire exercise.
In February, five Marines out of 3rd MAW -- Maya's parent unit -- died when their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed in Southern California.
