Authorities identify Marine pilots killed in helicopter crash
The two Marines killed in an AH-1Z Viper helicopter crash Saturday night have been identified.
In a press release Monday, the two Marines were identified as Maj. Matthew M. Wiegand, 34, of Ambler, Pa., and 30-year-old Capt. Travis W. Brannon, of Nashville, Tenn.
Wiegand previously deployed in support of a Unit Deployment Program in Okinawa, Japan. He participated in numerous bi-lateral exercises with Joint and Foreign partners. His personal decorations included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of the second award.
Wiegand was a pilot assigned to MAWTS-1, Yuma. He joined the Marine Corps in 2008 and held qualifications in the AH-1W Super Cobra and AH-1Z Viper. He was previously stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and MCAS Yuma, Ariz. second award.
Capt. Travis W. Brannon was a pilot assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Brannon was attending Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-19. His previous duty stations include Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Brannon participated in Marine Rotational Force Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. His personal decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
“We join the families of Maj. Wiegand and Capt. Brannon in mourning the loss of a loved one, ” said Col. Kelvin W. Gallman, commanding officer of MAWTS-1. “Our most valued assets are the individual Marines and our primary focus is supporting the families during this difficult time.”
Governor Doug Ducey ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset, Tuesday, April 2, 2019, to honor the life of two United States Marine pilots. Flags will also be lowered on the day of interment, which has not been set.
“Arizona mourns the tragic loss of these two Marine Corps pilots,” said Governor Ducey. “Major Wiegand and Captain Brannon served our country honorably. We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to put on the uniform and put their lives on the line in order to keep our country safe. Our prayers are with their family and loved ones and the entire Marine community in Yuma during this time.”
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
According to a press release sent out by Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, two Marine pilots were killed as a result of an AH-1Z Viper helicopter crash in the vicinity of Yuma, Arizona, at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Officials say the incident occurred aboard the MCAS Yuma training grounds.
The press release said both pilots were conducting a routine training mission as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 2-19.
According to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course “is a seven-week period of instruction, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One at Yuma, Ariz., that incorporates Marine Corps planning and implementation of advanced air and ground tactics through a series of escalating evolutions in order to produce certified Weapons and Tactics Instructors. Weapons and Tactics instructors serve as squadron training officers who use their skills to act as aircraft and weapons subject matter experts to provide their units with proper training and evaluation to ensure exceptional combat readiness.”
According to Military Today, the Bell AH-1Z helicopter was launched by the U.S. Government in 1996 and is the first ever attack helicopter.
Since then, it has been “improved and upgraded” until its full-scale production in 2012.
Military Today says “A number of improvements were made to survivability and crashworthiness of the helicopter. It is fitted with an infrared suppression system which covers engine exhausts, laser and radar warning systems, and radar jammer.”
According to the Marine Corps Times, the same model of helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Okinawa in late January 2018.
The publication said in early January 2018, another Marine Viper was forced to make an emergency landing due to a sensor malfunction.
Officials said the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The names of the deceased will be withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.
Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
