Washington, DC - Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) today released the following statement following the news of a mid air collision, off the coast of San Clemente Island in Southern California, of a US Coast Guard plane and US Marine Corps helicopter.  The incident involved 7 Coast Guard Service Members and 2 Marines based out of Air Station Sacramento and Camp Pendleton respectively.

"The collision between Coast Guard plane 1705 and a marine helicopter off the coast of Southern California is a huge tragedy for the Sacramento region and this nation.  The Coast Guard plane was based out of Coast Guard Air Station-Sacramento at McClellan; a real asset to this region.

"Unfortunately we sometimes fail to appreciate the valuable work of these men and women at Air Station Sacramento in spite of their extraordinary record of success and ever vigilant service. Today, we are reminded of the danger involved in their work and of the sacrifices they make to keep Americans safe.

"My prayers are with the service members and their families and I continue to remain hopeful that the ongoing search and rescue efforts will be successful."

The collision happened at 7:01pm, October 29, 2009. The search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

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Congressman Dan Lungren serves as Ranking Member on the House Administration Committee in addition to serving on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees