7 Marines Die During Routine Training Exercise In Arizona

Military officials confirmed Thursday the deaths of seven Marines during a routine training operation Wednesday night. The Marine Corps said the soldiers were completing an exercise involving an AH-1W Cobra helicopter and UH-1Y Huey helicopter when the aircrafts collided mid-air at the Yuma Training Range Complex in southern Arizona. The cause of the accident remains unclear and is under investigation.

“We won't know exactly what happened until the investigation is complete, and we can't make any assumptions right now," said Marine Corps spokeswoman Maureen Dooley

The names of the soldiers have not been released. Officials say one of the Marines was stationed in Yuma while the other six were stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

Arizona Sen. John McCain issued a statement on the accident. “This tragedy is a grave reminder of the sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces make to keep us safe – both in training here at home and in combat abroad,” he said.

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