US | Camp Pendleton 2 Marines Die in California Training Crash Third major air accident this summer at Camp Pendleton By Mary Papenfuss Posted Sep 20, 2011 1:10 AM CDT Copied An airplane drops fire retardant on a brush fire that started on Camp Pendleton when a Marine helicopter crashed yesterday in De Luz, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) Two US Marines were killed when the Super Cobra attack helicopter they were flying in went down in flames during a training exercise at California's camp Pendleton. Firefighters were battling a 120-acre brush fire triggered by the afternoon crash late yesterday. It was the third major accident in the Southern California military base in three months. A similar helicopter crash in July killed one Marine and injured five. Two Marines suffered broken bones when they ejected from a crippled fighter jet that crashed into the Pacific last month during a Camp Pendleton training exercise. Officials are investigating the cause of yesterday's crash, reports KGTV San Diego. "It's a tough time for us," said USMC Maj. Carl Redding. "Anytime we lose Marines whether in war or in training stateside it's hard for all of us." Read These Next A government shutdown could mean permanent layoffs. Retirement savings catch-up plans are about to change. FCC chief gets crushed by cat litter in new South Park. Judge demands answers from Trump administration on Mangione comments. Report an error