WASHINGTON - Rep. Mac Thornberry ( R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, commented today on the results of a Marine Corps investigation into the crash of two CH-53 helicopters last January that took the lives of 12 Marines. The investigation revealed that this squadron faced a series of significant readiness issues leading up to this collision.
According to a Huffington Post report, the investigation report cites “low aircraft readiness leading to inadequate pilot efficiency, human factors, and the squadron’s lack of focus on basic aviation practices” as the "main factors that contributed to the crash," while also stating that the pilots "hadn’t flown enough in the weeks leading up the crash to be proficient." Committee oversight and other independent reviews have revealed important readiness shortfalls in each of the services, including those that led to this tragedy.
"The factors that led to this tragedy are evident across the services. If left unaddressed, they will invariably result in more tragic loss of life. While this investigation reveals pilot error in the final seconds of this mission, it is clear that in the months, days, and hours beforehand, the Department failed these Marines. I am particularly concerned by the readiness factors like maintenance and training that contributed to this fatal crash.
Because of its size and structure, the stress on the Marine Corps is unmistakable. But, these readiness problems are strikingly similar to those faced by our Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen each and every day.
There are some tenacious men and women serving in the Marine Corps and the other services who are sounding the alarm and are leaning forward to fix these problems. Unfortunately, too many others in leadership positions are in denial or have been reluctant to speak up. The Obama Administration's legacy will be framed by their decision to play political games with defense funding, rather than facing these problems head-on and working with Congress to fix them. These challenges were years in the making and will take years to correct. It is time to stop playing games and get to fixing these problems immediately.”
The House Armed Services Committee, a number of news organizations, and the Government Accountability Office, have each uncovered a troubling readiness crisis building in America’s military.
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Oct 27, 2016
Press Release