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Writer's pictureSi Biggs

3 Cdo Bde - CH46 Crash - Kuwait

Unit/ Formation: Memorial


Location: Kuwait


Period/ Conflict: Iraq War (2003 - 2009)


Year: 2003


Date/s: 21 March 2003


At around midnight GMT on Friday 21 March 2003, a US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter (152579) of HMM-268 crashed 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Iraqi border, there were no survivors.

Eight personnel from 3 Commando Brigade died in the accident, along with four US aircrew.



Memorial in Kuwait to the 8 members of 3 Cdo Bde and 4 USMC who were killed when their CH-46 Sea Knight crashed on the insertion into Iraq.

Originally on a carn about 20m east of the road near to where the helicopter crashed this plaque is now believed to be in the British Embassy

The 3 Commando Brigade personnel were:


Major Jason Ward, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 34, from Torquay in Devon

Captain Philip Stuart Guy, Royal Marines, aged 29, from Skipton, Yorkshire

Warrant Officer Second Class Mark Stratford, Royal Marines, aged 39, from Plymouth

Colour Sergeant John Cecil, Royal Marines, UK Landing Force Command Support Group, aged 35, from Plymouth

Sergeant Les Hehir, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 34, from Poole in Dorset

Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, aged 24 from Llandudno

Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour RN, 148 Commando Battery Royal Artillery, aged 29 years, from Poole in Dorset

Marine Sholto Hedenskog, Royal Marines, aged 26, from Cape Town, South Africa.



The US Marines killed were;


Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin,

Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre,

Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy and

Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey.


More here: UK Gov





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