Photo: Capt. Jeffrey Bland, from Champaign and 1st Lt. Thomas Heitmann, from MendotaThe two pilots killed in the crash of a Marine attack helicopter during training at Camp Pendleton were from Illinois, military officials said today.
The Marines were identified as 1st Lt. Thomas Heitmann, from Mendota, and Capt. Jeffrey Bland, from Champaign. Both were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Their Cobra helicopter went down Monday afternoon during training in a remote area of Camp Pendleton in California, the Marines said in a release. The helicopter burned, igniting a fire that has burned up to 120 acres near Fallbrook, Calif.
The cause of the accident was under investigation, and the Marines were releasing no other details.
The deadly crash is the second involving a helicopter from the case this summer. In July, a Huey helicopter sent down, killing one Marine and injuring the five others on board. That crash also set off a brush fire.
Heitmann was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 2008, Bland in 1997. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Heitman's mother said the family was too distraught to speak about their son today.
Bland’s decorations include two Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Air Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
