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Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Service members killed in border crash were California-based U.S. Marines
SAN DIEGO — Two service members killed during a border security mission in New Mexico last week were identified as U.S. Marines based at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. The 1st Marine Division identified them as Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera, 22, of Riverside, California, and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, 28, of Fresno, California. They were pronounced dead at University Medical Center of El Paso, Texas, the division said in a statement. A third Marine injured alongside them was in critical condition at the medical center, it said. The three were in a vehicle that was a part of a caravan when it crashed Tuesday morning, the division said. The crash in an area just north of El Paso was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on New Mexico's Highway 9 near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station in Santa Teresa, NBC affiliate KTSM of El Paso reported. The Marines were part of the military's Joint Task Force Southern Border, which seeks to increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border. This year U.S. forces there came under consolidated military command after President Donald Trump declared an emergency and tapped the defense budget for the effort. The 1st Marine Division said in a statement that Aguilera and Gamino were combat engineers with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Pendleton. Gamino was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He deployed to Darwin, Australia, as part of a rotational force last year, the division said. Last month, nearly 3,000 active-duty troops were deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of Trump's effort to halt migrant and drug traffic. Trump has not commented formally on the Marines' deaths. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who represents El Paso, said in a statement: "I am saddened by the loss of two U.S. service members who were killed in yesterday's accident in Santa Teresa. I'm praying that the third service member who remains in serious condition recovers, and I'm thinking of the families of all involved." Marine Lt. Col. Tyrone A. Barrion, commander of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, said in the 1st Marine Division statement that the loss of the two lance corporals "is deeply felt" in the military branch. "I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen brothers," he said. "Our top priority right now is to ensure that their families, and the Marines affected by their passing, are fully supported during this difficult time.' The cause of the crash remained under investigation, the division said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Service members killed in border crash were California-based U.S. Marines
SAN DIEGO —Two service members killed during a border security mission in New Mexico last week were identified as U.S. Marines based at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. The U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Division identified the two as Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera, 22, of Riverside; and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, 28, of Fresno. They were pronounced dead at University Medical Center of El Paso, the division said in a statement. A third Marine injured alongside them was in critical condition at the institution, it said. The three were in a vehicle that was a part of a caravan when it crashed on Tuesday morning, the division said. The crash in an area just north of El Paso was reported shortly before 9 a.m. on New Mexico's Highway 9 near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, NBC affiliate KTSM of El Paso, Texas, reported. The Marines were part of the military's Joint Task Force Southern Border, which seeks to increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border. This year U.S. forces there came under consolidated military command after President Donald Trump declared an emergency and tapped the defense budget for the effort. The 1st Marine Division said in a statement that Aguilera and Gamino were combat engineers with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Pendleton. Gamino was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He deployed to Darwin, Australia, as part of a rotational force in 2024, the division said. In March, nearly 3,000 active-duty troops were deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of Trump's effort to halt migrant and drug traffic. The president has not commented formally on the Marines' deaths. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said in a statement, "I am saddened by the loss of two U.S. service members who were killed in yesterday's accident in Santa Teresa. I'm praying that the third service member who remains in serious condition recovers, and I'm thinking of the families of all involved." U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tyrone A. Barrion, commander of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, said in the 1st Marine Division statement that the loss of the two lance corporals "is deeply felt" in the military branch. "I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen brothers," he said. "Our top priority right now is to ensure that their families, and the Marines affected by their passing, are fully supported during this difficult time.' The cause of the crash remained under investigation, the division said.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fresno Marine among 2 Californians killed in crash during deployment to southern US border
A Fresno resident was among two U.S. Marines killed in a crash in New Mexico during a deployment to the southern border, authorities said Saturday. Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera, 22, of Riverside and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, 28, of Fresno were both killed in the April 15 crash near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. A third Marine, who was not identified, is in critical condition. 'The loss of Lance Cpl. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Gamino is deeply felt by all of us," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tyrone A. Barrion. "I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen brothers. Our top priority right now is to ensure that their families, and the Marines affected by their passing, are fully supported during this difficult time.' The Marines were part of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and were deployed as part of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border operation. Thousands of military personnel have been deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border since President Donald Trump declared an emergency at the border. The three Marines were airlifted to University Medical Hospital in El Paso on April 15. The crash occurred during a convoy movement along the border, according to a news statement from the Joint Taskforce Southern Border operation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. 'I am saddened by the loss of two U.S. service members who were killed in yesterday's accident in Santa Teresa,' U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, said. 'I'm praying that the third service member who remains in serious condition recovers, and I'm thinking of the families of all involved.' President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border in mid-January in response to what he called "an invasion" of cartels and immigrants crossing the border, deploying thousands of active-duty troops. The first 1,500 troops were deployed to Fort Bliss in El Paso on Jan. 25. There are currently about 6,600 troops along the southern border with Mexico. The Trump administration is seeking to utilize Fort Bliss as a hub for deportation. Construction of the facility is set to start soon. DEPLOYMENT: Donald Trump authorizes U.S. military to take control of land on southern border Migrants crossing the southern border are currently at the lowest levels in decades. Jeff Abbott covers the border for The El Paso Times and can be reached at: jdabbott@ @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @ on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: US Marines identify Fresno, Riverside men killed in crash on US border
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
2 Marines killed in crash during deployment to the southern border
2 Marines killed in crash during deployment to the southern border Show Caption Hide Caption What we know about military jurisdiction over federal border lands President Trump authorized the U.S. military to take over jurisdiction of federal border lands. Here is what we know now. Two U.S. Marines killed in a crash in New Mexico during a deployment to the southern border have been identified by authorities. Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera, 22, of Riverside, California; and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino, 28, of Fresno, California, were both killed in the April 15 crash near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. A third Marine, who was not identified, is in critical condition. 'The loss of Lance Cpl. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Gamino is deeply felt by all of us," said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tyrone A. Barrion. "I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen brothers. Our top priority right now is to ensure that their families, and the Marines affected by their passing, are fully supported during this difficult time.' The Marines were part of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and were deployed as part of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border operation. Thousands of military personnel have been deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border since President Donald Trump declared an emergency at the border. The three Marines were airlifted to University Medical Hospital in El Paso on April 15. The crash occurred during a convoy movement along the border, according to a news statement from the Joint Taskforce Southern Border operation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. 'I am saddened by the loss of two U.S. service members who were killed in yesterday's accident in Santa Teresa,' U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, said. 'I'm praying that the third service member who remains in serious condition recovers, and I'm thinking of the families of all involved.' President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border in mid-January in response to what he called "an invasion" of cartels and immigrants crossing the border, deploying thousands of active-duty troops. The first 1,500 troops were deployed to Fort Bliss in El Paso on Jan. 25. There are currently about 6,600 troops along the southern border with Mexico. The Trump administration is seeking to utilize Fort Bliss as a hub for deportation. Construction of the facility is set to start soon. BORDER DEPLOYMENT: Donald Trump authorizes U.S. military to take control of land on southern border Migrants crossing the southern border are currently at the lowest levels in decades. Jeff Abbott covers the border for The El Paso Times and can be reached at: jdabbott@ @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @ on Bluesky.
Arab Times
19-04-2025
- Arab Times
Military officials identify 2 Marines killed in crash during deployment
SANTA TERESA, NM, April 19, (AP): Military officials have identified the two Marines from California who were killed when their vehicle crashed as a convoy was traveling along the US-Mexico border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. They were Lance Cpl Albert Aguilera, 22, of Riverside and Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino, 28, of Fresno. Both were members of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion based at Camp Pendleton. Another Marine with the battalion remains in critical condition. The investigation into Tuesday's crash is ongoing, military officials said in a statement. The region where the accident took place is just over the state line and west of Fort Bliss, a major Army installation in West Texas that has played a critical role in dispatching military deportation flights and served as a touchpoint for thousands of soldiers and pieces of equipment now deployed along the border. The troops are deployed there in support of President Donald Trump's executive order to secure the US-Mexico border.
