A Marine from Crystal Lake was among the six killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Defense says Capt. Nathan R. McHone of Crystal Lake and five other marines died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The other five marines killed were identified as Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Wash.; MSgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa; Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, 23, of North Beach, Md.; Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J.; and Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, 22, of Willis, Texas.
They were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
The crash is being reported as the deadliest crash in Afghanistan since August, when a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down, killing 30 American troops. That crash happened in Wardak province in the center of the country.
The cause of the latest crash is still being investigated, but a statement issued by the NATO international military coalition said there was no enemy activity in the area when it happened.
