Four Marines killed in Norway Osprey crash identified after aircraft went down during NATO ‘cold response’ exercise

THE four US Marines killed in Norway after their MV-22 crashed due to stormy weather have been identified. Captain Matthew J Tomkiewicz, Captain Ross A Reynolds, Gunnery Sgt James W Speedy and Cpl Jacob M Moore were all Marine with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261. APThe four US Marines killed in Norway have been identified[/caption] The four were in Norway as part of the biannual Nato exercise Cold Response. Their bodies were able to be recovered with assistance from the Marine Corps and are currently being transported to the US. The country’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the families and colleagues of the crew that died during drills in a remote region of Norway on Friday. Rescue teams reached the crash site early Saturday morning after helicopters were unable to land due to poor weather conditions. The area had been battered by gale-force winds and heavy rains while rescue crews faced a risk of avalanches. Støre wrote on Twitter: “It is with great sadness we have received the message that four American soldiers died in a plane crash last night. “The soldiers participated in the NATO exercise Cold Response. Most read in World News STAUNCH REBUTTAL Ukraine REJECTS Russia's chilling ultimatum to surrender city of Mariupol VLADOLF HITLER Putin likened to HITLER after 'Ukrainians deported to work camps' KILLER SHARK Moment tiger shark spotted moments after mauling tourist to death in Caribbean NOWHERE TO HIDE Moment Russian 'Z' tank blasted in dramatic Call Of Duty-style footage PURE EVIL Russian tank 'opens fire on elderly care home killing 56 & taking 15 hostage' CHINESE BURN China's zero-Covid policy 'could spell end for Xi', expert says “Our deepest sympathies go to the soldiers’ families, relatives and fellow soldiers in their unit.” An investigation has been launched into the crash but it has been slowed down by bad weather. The MV-22B Osprey aircraft was taking part in a NATO military exercise when it was reported missing shortly before 6.30pm local time on Friday. The US Marine Corps plane, which was on a ‘Cold Response’ training exercise, was due to land at 6pm. A rescue helicopter and a Norwegian military Orion plane searching the area spotted the wreckage from the air after receiving an emergency signal. Nordland police chief of staff, Bent Eilertsen, said: “We’ve discovered an aircraft that has crashed. “We’ve seen no sign of life.” He added: “We’ve been told it’s an American aircraft with four Americans on board.” Because of the bad weather, the rescue aircraft could not land. Instead, police and rescue services were trying to reach the site by land, but it was unclear how long this could take. Mr Eilertsen said: “It’s dark, the weather conditions are bad and there is a risk of avalanches.” A spokesperson for Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centres said earlier: “We have made a find from the air. “We found it after an emergency signal was received.” LOST HEROES Tomkiewicz joined the Marines in 2015. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Seas Service Deployment Ribbon. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The US Sun team? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS