Fallbrook Marine identified by USMC as being one of eight killed in helicopter crash

Capt. Dustin Lukasiewicz, 28, a pilot of UH-1 Hueys, who was living with his wife in Fallbrook has been confirmed as one of eight who perished in a helicopter crash last week during a humanitarian mission in Nepal. Lukasiewicz, a member of HMLA-469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 34d Marine Aircraft Wing based on Camp Pendleton, was a Nebraska native. According to the World-Herald newspaper in Omaha, Nebraska, Lukasiewicz' family members said his wife is expecting a child in June and he also has a young daughter. The Marine was also an online graduate student in political science at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Officials announced on Friday, May 15, that eight bodies had been recovered from the site where the Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter crashed in a Himalayan hillside on Tuesday, May 12.

USMC Lt. Gen. John Wissler, Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Joint Task Force 505 and Marine Forces Japan addressed the media in a live webcast on Friday, May 15, the same day the missing aircraft was identified. He said that it was unlikely that any of the eight onboard survived the crash.

“Because of the nature of the wreckage, it is unlikely that there are any survivors,” Wissler said. “Our prayers are with the families and the Nepalese soldiers and their families. We all mourn this tragic loss of life.”

The wreckage was located at approximately 11,000 feet in extremely dense forest and exceptionally rugged terrain, Wissler said, adding that the discovery was made by Nepalese partners flying patrols in the area.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The missing Huey, along with the crew were part of Joint Task Force 505 - as part of Operation Sahayogi Haat - deployed to Nepal following a request from the Napalese government after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the country on April 25. The trembler reportedly killed more than 8,000 people.

According to reports, the helicopter and squadron were diverted from a Joint Task Force exercise in the Philippines to assist with search and rescue.

The helicopter and crew were participating in disaster relief missions following a 7.3 aftershock that occurred on Monday, May 11 when the incident occurred.

“They were determined to go forward with their duties eager to contribute to our mission and to alleviate suffering and to come to the rescue of those in need,” Wissler said.

Aircraft from the United States, including two other UH-1y Hueys and two V-22 Ospreys, as well as Nepalese military and police had searched for the missing helicopter before it was found.

“They were courageous,” Wissler said. “They were selfless individuals dedicated to the international humanitarian aid mission here in Nepal."

Others who perished in the crash were Eric Seaman, 29, a Murrieta resident and UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with HMLA-469, Capt. Christopher L. Norgren, a UH-1Y pilot, Sgt. Ward M. Johnson, IV, a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief, all stationed with HMLA-469, Cpl. Sara A. Medina, a combat photographer and Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, a combat videographer. Both Medina and Hug were stationed with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. Two Nepalese soldiers were also onboard but have yet to be identified by officials.

Wissler asked for continued prayers during the “difficult time.”

“We also ask the public to please respect the families and allow them time as the investigation continues and the next of kin are respectively notified,” he said. “The sacrifice that these Marines and Nepalese soldiers have made for their respective countries will not be forgotten. Their memories will live on through the lives they touched during this disaster operation and in their previous service to their countries.”