Maj. Matthew Wiegand and Capt. Travis Brannon were killed after their helicopter crashed during a training mission near Yuma on Saturday.
Officials have identified the two U.S. Marines who were killed after their helicopter crashed during a routine training mission near Yuma on Saturday evening.
The Marine Corps Air Station Yuma released a written statement Monday afternoon announcing that Maj. Matthew Wiegand, 34, of Ambler, Pennyslvania and Capt. Travis Brannon, 30, of Nashville, Tennessee perished after their AH-1Z Viper helicopter crashed near the air station's training grounds around 8:45 p.m.
Wiegand had been awarded the Navy and Marine Cops Achievement Medal with a gold star. Brannon had received a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to a statement from the Marines Air Corps Station Yuma.
Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, added his condolences.
"It is a somber day for the entire Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC) as we mourn this tremendous loss," Turner wrote in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and loved ones during this extremely difficult time."
Officials said the cause of the crash was still being investigated.
Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday to honor the two men. Flags also will be lowered on the day of interment, which has not been set, according to a statement from Ducey's office.