6 Killed In Afghanistan Were Hawaii-based Marines

Published January 20, 2012 7:09PM (EST)

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AP) — A Hawaii congresswoman says all six Marines killed in the crash of a U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan were based in Hawaii.

The helicopter crashed Thursday in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand.

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Friday she's saddened to hear of the deaths. Her spokeswoman says the congresswoman was notified Thursday evening that those killed were Hawaii-based Marines.

A senior U.S. defense official confirmed all six were Marines on condition of anonymity because the U.S. command in Afghanistan had not yet publicly released details.

The official says there is no indication that the helicopter was hit by enemy fire.

A spokesman for Marine Forces Pacific at Camp Smith on Oahu says he cannot provide information about the crash.

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AP National Security Writer Robert Burns contributed from Washington.


By Salon Staff

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