FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2010
Marana, AZ
Marana Regional Airport To Host U.S. Marine Memorial Service
Mike Flynn, Sr. Vice Commandant of the Marana Nighthawk 72 Detachment #1344 Marine
Corps League, announced today that there will be a Memorial Service at the Marana Regional
Airport on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 10:00AM to honor the 19 U.S. Marines that were tragically
killed in an MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft accident at the Airport on April 8, 2000.
Included in the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service will be a granite bench dedication, procession
of Colors with the Marine Reserves Bulk Fuel Company Alpha Color Guard along with various
Veteran organizations’ Color Guards. The names of the 19 lost will be read aloud with a rifle
salute, taps and a dove release. Several current Marines from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine
Regiment, 1st Marine Division including Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jason Morris from Camp
Pendleton California will be participating in the event. The event is free and open to the public.
Additional Background Information
The MV-22 Osprey Tilt rotor aircraft was conducting a training mission in support of Operational
Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down at the Marana Regional Airport in Marana, Arizona on
April 8, 2000. During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted Non-combatant Evacuation
Operations (NEO) exercises as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with
Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission was conducted at night utilizing
night vision goggles and forward looking infrared radar to enhance night operational capability.
This mishap aircraft was part of the Multiservice Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent
River, Maryland, but was temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics
Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
The 19 Marines Lost were as follows:
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28
Pfc. Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21
Pfc. Alfred Corona, 23
Lance Cpl. Jason T. Duke, 28.
Lance Cpl. Jesus Gonzalez Sanchez, 27
Lance Cpl. Seth G. Jones, 18
2nd Lt. Clayton J. Kennedy, 24
Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Morin, 21
Cpl. Adam C. Neely, 22
Pfc. Kenneth O. Paddio, 23
Pfc. George P. Santos, 24
Lance Cpl. Keoki P. Santos, 24
Cpl. Can Soler, 21
Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control Group 38
Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21
Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
Maj. John A. Brow, 39
Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34
Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22
Marine Tilt-Rotor Training Squadron 204
Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30
Additional information contact: Mike Flynn (520) 904-2460 MaranaMarines@hotmail.com