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Former Galesburg Man Dies During Marine Training Mission
An afternoon helicopter training operation at a California marine air base claimed the lives of two Monday, including a 37-year old former resident of Galesburg.

Champaign native Captain Jeffrey Carl Bland was pronounced dead at the scene of a Cobra Attack Helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton. His co-pilot died also, a native of Mendota.

Camp Pendleton First Lieutenant of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Chad Hill tells WGIL friends and family must be proud of the two marines' accomplishments in this time of tragedy.

"First and foremost they're marines, and any time we have any kind of loss of life, whether it's training or in combat, it's definately a solemn and somber moment," he says. "These guys joined the Marine Corps to give to their country and nobody excepted this to happen in a training event. These guys are definately heroes what ehir training to do, what they chose to do, and we are going to keep them in our hearts and in our prayers."

Lt. Ryan Finnegan says Camp Pendleton is still investigating the cause of the crash. He says within 5 hours the crash's impact set fire to over 120 acres of land, and crews have battled to contain to blaze at 80%.

Jeffrey Bland was a 1992 graduate of Galesburg High School. He is survived by his wife Heather and daughter Aliana.
09 21 11 by Newsroom
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