Parachute Mishap Cited as Cause of Death for Camp Lejeune Marine Who Was Training in North Carolina
A Camp Lejeune Marine who was killed during a training exercise last week died as a result of a parachute incident, the service confirmed Wednesday.
Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, died April 18 during a training incident in a coastal county in North Carolina, according to a previous press release.
The incident occurred during the evening, according to II Marine Expeditionary Force, the MEU's parent unit, but details of the incident were previously undisclosed by the Marine Corps. A recently updated Naval Safety Command report said an unnamed service member was "involved in a parachute mishap, died at scene" on the same date that Arslanbas was reported to have been killed.
A spokesperson for II MEF confirmed in an email to Military.com on Wednesday that Arslanbas was the service member referenced in the report and that he "was involved in a parachute mishap during the 24th MEU's Composite Unit Training Exercise," or COMPUTEX.
Arslanbas was a reconnaissance Marine and was taking part in the unit's pre-deployment exercises, which is antecedent to its mobilization with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, or ARG. The Naval Safety Report said that the incident occurred at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, or MCOLF, located in Atlantic, North Carolina.
Marine Corps Times was first to report the parachute detail. The publication indicated that the original report said Arslanbas died on Friday instead of Thursday, but it appeared the Navy data was updated to the correct day.
"Words cannot convey our sorrow for the tragic loss of one of our MEU family members," Col. Todd Mahar, 24th MEU commanding officer, said in a statement Saturday. "The 24th MEU family mourns the loss of an outstanding Marine and leader. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support to his family during this most difficult time."
Military.com previously attempted to reach Arslanbas' family over the phone, but did not hear back. Arslanbas was a member of the Maritime Special Purpose Force, or MSPF -- a specialized unit within the MEU.
Marine expeditionary units are forward-deployed response forces in the Marine Corps and accompany Navy ships to conduct a number of missions and training, to include non-combatant evacuation operations and reconnaissance, among other activities.
II MEF previously said that the incident occurred during a training exercise in Carteret County, North Carolina, on the coast of the state.
Arslanbas, originally from Missouri, enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 15, 2020, and had just been promoted to the rank of sergeant this month. He was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Related: Camp Lejeune Marine Killed During Training in Eastern North Carolina, Service Says
