Two Combat Camera Marines die in Nepal crash

Cpl. Sara A. Medina, Combat Camera.

Friends,

I have waited until today for official word and notification to families out of respect for my brother and sister. We are still down range as I write this.

On May 12 a UH-1Y helicopter from HMLA 469 carrying two of my hard charging COMCAM Marines crashed high in a mountainous area in Nepal. All souls on board were lost; six Marines and two Nepali soldiers. They were on a mission to help save lives and reduce suffering after a second massive earthquake hit the country.

Our entire team was charging as hard as we could to help to provide imagery support for this operation. Medina and Hug took to the air to get to a remote village where supplies were desperately needed and civilians were severely injured and had to be MEDEVAC’d. These two Marines were doing exactly what they joined the Marine Corps to do- Help others! Through their imagery they were showing the world what was happening here and what the Nepali people were going through.

Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, Combat Camera.

This has been one of the toughest times in my career. I love my Marines and I love Combat Camera. I am truly heart broken but I praise the Lord that we have officially recovered our fallen and by his grace we are able to return them to their families. My prayers and my heart are with Hug and Medina’s families as well as our entire COMCAM family. We have lost an amazing sister and brother.

Tonight I ask that you take a minute to truly remember and pray for all of those that are standing watch and all of those that came before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice. My heart is so heavy but my faith is strong in Christ. I know these two young Marines are in a better place.

Cpl Medina, LCpl Hug throughout your service you have answered the call. You have tirelessly stood the watch when no one else would. When the time came, you packed your gear and headed for far off lands so that our country could sleep safely and enjoy the freedoms we so dearly cherish.

Tonight we honor and thank you both. You have done more on your watch than any American could possibly ask or ever understand. The time to post has come, you stand relieved… We have the watch.
– CWO-3 Clint Runyon, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Combat Camera Officer in Charge,  Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan
(from Facebook post)

Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, Combat Videographer

“Today we mourn the loss of two Marines in our Combat Camera community. Today we honor the sacrifice of Cpl. Sara Medina and Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug. Along with the two UH-1Y Huey pilots, two crew chiefs, and two Nepalese soldiers, they died serving their country, the people of Nepal, and doing what they signed up and love doing. I couldn’t be prouder of our Public Affairs/Combat Camera team here in Nepal.

You come into a humanitarian crisis not thinking something like this could happen. This one shook me hard and I thank God for his peace and strength though this time for myself and our team. Please pray for the families, friends, and our team as we grapple with this devastating loss. Thank you.”
– Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Public Affairs Chief, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan (from Facebook post)