Marine killed at Camp Pendleton was an aircraft technician from Texas

by GARY WARNER
April 27, 2024

Marine Cpl. Miguel Maya, 23, was killed April 23, 2024, in an “aviation ground mishap” at Camp Pendleton, Calif., service officials said. USMC photo

The Marine killed Tuesday at Camp Pendleton in what base officials described as a “ground mishap” was a 23-year-old aircraft avionics technician. Cpl. Miguel A. Maya served with the Marine Helicopter Light Attack Training Squadron 303 based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., north of San Diego. The squadron is attached to Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The wing has its headquarters at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Maya was from McAllen, Texas, the Marines said. The Marines first reported a fatality during “routine military operations” Tuesday but updated the incident to “an aviation ground mishap” when they identified Maya on Friday as the Marine who was killed.

Maya’s squadron conducts extensive training on the UH-1Y, AH-1Z, and AH-1W helicopters for pilots and ground crews. It has about 300 Marines and sailors attached to the squadron, according to the unit’s website. The death of Maya is the latest of several fatal incidents involving Marines in the United States this year.

Sgt. Colin Arslanbas died April 18 during a late-night training exercise near Camp Lejeune, N.C. Arslanbas, 23, was assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Two other Marines have died during training at Pendleton in recent months. In December, Sgt. Matthew Bylski, 23, died in a rollover accident. Bylski was an amphibious combat vehicle crewman assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/5 of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Fourteen other Marines were in the vehicle when it flipped on land. None were seriously injured. In August, Lance Cpl. Joseph Whaley, 20, died during a live-fire training exercise at the service’s infantry school at Camp Pendleton.