[8] The search and rescue operation involved the United States Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Army MEDEVAC helicopter crews, the Navy, and the Honolulu Fire and Police departments.

Eventually all four of the life rafts were found on the water's surface during the 5-day search, but there was no evidence that they had ever been used by the helicopter crews.

[14] The rescue operation turned to recovery and salvage on January 19 and the crew members were assumed dead.

[16] The Marine Corps' investigation found that both airframes were mechanically sound and in good repair.

The ones belonging to the Marine Corps were put to hard use in Iraq and Afghanistan and never adequately refurbished afterward.

On January 20, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter made a statement honoring the crew members.

"These proud Marines died as they lived, in service to a country they loved and in dedication to a cause greater than themselves," Carter said.

Carter thanked the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine personnel for their involvement in rescue operations.