Photo courtesy of: Nighthawk-72 Marana Detachment #1344 Marine Corps League
MARANA- The AVQ Town of Marana Regional Airport is hosting the 24th anniversary memorial service for the 19 U.S. Marines killed in an Osprey crash on April 8, 2000.
The ceremony will take place on April 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Marana Regional Airport Nighthawk-72 Memorial Park. This event is free and open to the public.
According to the Nighthawk-72 Marana Detachment #1344 Marine Corps League, the memorial service will include a special missing man formation flyover by the Scorpion Squadron of the West Coast Ravens Formation Team, a presentation of colors by Marine Corps Reserves Bulk Fuel Company Alpha, wreath laying by various organizations, a rifle salute by Tucson Detachment 7 Marine Corps League with taps, bagpiper, and vocalist Amanda Sinner. There will also be guest speakers to include Marana Mayor Ed Honea.
Click here to download the invitation.
Additional Background Information The MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft was conducting a training mission in support of Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down at the Marana Regional Airport in Marana, Arizona on April 8, 2000. During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission was conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles and forward looking infrared radar to enhance night operational capability. This mishap aircraft was part of the Multiservice Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent River, Maryland, but was temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
The 19 Marines Lost were as follows:
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28, Pfc. Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21, Pfc. Alfred Corona, 23, Lance Cpl. Jason T. Duke, 28, Lance Cpl. Jesus Gonzalez Sanchez, 27, Lance Cpl. Seth G. Jones, 18, 2nd Lt. Clayton J. Kennedy, 24, Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Morin, 21, Cpl. Adam C. Neely, 22, Pfc. Kenneth O. Paddio, 23, Pfc. George P. Santos, 24, Lance Cpl. Keoki P. Santos, 24, Cpl. Can Soler, 21, Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19.
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38
Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21.
Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
Maj. John A. Brow, 39, Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34, Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22.
Marine Tilt-Rotor Training Squadron 204
Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30.
