GREENSBORO, N.C. — The U.S. Marine Corps identified four Marines killed when their Osprey helicopter crashed during a NATO drill in Norway.
They were assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force and were stationed in North Carolina.
II MEF identified the soldiers as:
- Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz of Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Capt. Ross A. Reynolds of Leominster, Mass.
- Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy of Cambridge, Ohio
- Cpl. Jacob M. Moore of Catlettsburg, Kentucky
"The pilots and crew were committed to accomplishing their mission and serving a cause greater than themselves," said Maj. Gen. Michael Cederholm, the commanding general of 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, in a letter to his Marines and their families.
The crew was participating in a NATO drill called Cold Response on Friday at the time of the crash. Authorities said the exercise is unrelated to Russia's war in Ukraine.
II MEF said the Marines' remains are on their way back to the U.S. where they will be reunited with their families in the coming days.
“We will continue to execute the mission while keeping these Marines and their service on the forefront of our minds. We will never allow these Marines’ sacrifice to go unnoticed or unappreciated,” Cederholm said. “Keep these Marines and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Red Cross reported strong winds when they reported to the scene.
