Memorial service marks 10th anniversary of RAF Lakenheath helicopter crash at Cley Marshes in Norfolk

A memorial service marking the 10th anniversary of a Suffolk RAF base rescue helicopter crash on a Norfolk nature reserve has taken place today.

The service was in honour of pilots, Capt Sean Ruane and Capt Christopher Stover, and two special missions aviators, Tech Sgt Dale Mathews and Staff Sgt Afton Ponce who died whilst on low-level training exercise in an RAF Lakenheath helicopter on January 7, 2014.

Their USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk from 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS), call sign Jolly 2, was conducting low-level training with live ammunition at Cley marshes – a Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve – when it struck geese and crashed, killing all on board.

In 2017, a memorial plaque for the squadron whose main role is to rescue airmen shot down behind enemy lines and motto is ‘These things we do, that others may live’, was unveiled at the crash site.

This morning’s service, which took place at 10.30am at Cley Marshes Visitor Centre, saw speeches made by members of the USAF as well as a wreath laying ceremony to honour their fallen comrades.