YUMA, Ariz. - The U.S. Marine Corps has announced that its search and rescue squadron in southwest Arizona expects to be disbanded amid safety concerns.
Yuma Sun reported that the military branch confirmed that the air station's squadron of four twin-engine helicopters is officially being decommissioned in March as the last squadron of its kind.
The Marine Corps believes that it is no longer able to ensure the safety of its pilots or those who would need rescuing because maintenance has become too difficult and costly. Officials say the decision marks the end of decadeslong military-aided rescue operations in the Yuma area.
