Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, a Reconnaissance Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), tragically lost his life in a parachute accident during a routine training exercise in North Carolina. The incident took place at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, Carteret County, and is currently under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
Late Thursday night, a Naval Safety Command listing reported a Marine was “involved in a parachute mishap, died at scene.” Lt. Col. Cassandra Stanton, spokesperson for II Marine Expeditionary Force, further confirmed that the accident occurred during the MEU’s Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPUTEX), which serves as the final certification before the unit’s deployment with the Navy’s Wasp Amphibious Ready Group.
Originally from Missouri, Sgt. Arslanbas had been recently promoted and was a recipient of multiple commendations, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Col. Todd Mahar, 24th MEU commanding officer, expressed the unit’s profound loss, stating, “Words cannot convey our sorrow for the tragic loss of one of our MEU family members… We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support to his family during this most difficult time.”
Training accidents, although deeply regrettable, illuminate the hazardous nature of military preparedness. In response to the tragedy, the 24th MEU temporarily paused training to allow personnel time to grieve and process the loss of their colleague.
Further underscoring the risks that come with service, the Marine Corps lost another Marine just days prior when Cpl. Miguel A. Maya died during “routine military operations” at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California.
The full details of Sgt. Arslanbas’s accident remain undisclosed as inquiries continue. NCIS spokesman Darwin Lam has maintained the agency’s respect for the investigative process and declined to comment further while the investigation is ongoing, deferring to the Naval Safety Center as the primary lead on this matter.
Relevant articles:
– U.S. Marine Dies in Parachute Accident at Camp Lejeune, USNI, 04/28/2024
– 2 Marines have died within a week while on duty, Task & Purpose, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:52:30 GMT
– Marine Killed During Operation at Camp Pendleton, Marking Second Training Death for Service in a Week, Military.com, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:39:11 GMT
– Corps Identifies Camp Pendleton Marine Killed During ‘Routine’ Operations, Yahoo News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:55:23 GMT
– Parachute Mishap Cause Of Death – Who Was Parachute Mishap?, The Published Reporter, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:45:41 GMT