Search crews have recovered pieces of a U.S. Navy helicopter crash along with human remains, according to a published report.
The HH 60 Seahawk was performing training missions off the USS Nimitz on May 19 when it went down into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Five crew members were aboard the chopper.
Recovery operations by a team of search and salvage specialists ended last week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, and pieces of the aircraft are at North Island Naval Air Station for analysis.
The bodies haven't been publicly identified.
One of the airmen who died was Lt. Cmdr. Eric Purvis of Poway. One of his best friends gave a moving speech at a recent memorial.
"Some people define themselves by their jobs -- not Eric Purvis," the friend said. "He was a husband and father first, pilot second. He would rather be playing on the floor with trucks with his boys and was immediately in love with his daughter."
Also killed in the crash were Lt. Allison Oubre, 27, of Slidell, La.; Chief Petty Officer Samuel “Grant” Kerslake, 41, of Hot Springs, Ark.; Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Clingman, 25, of Bend, Ore.; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Ward, 20, of Lovelock, Nev.
The helicopter was attached to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 6, based at North Island.
