U.S. Marine and Three Contractors Killed in Philippines Plane Crash Identified

Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, a California native, was among four victims in a military-contracted mission supporting U.S.-Philippine security efforts.

Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, a 22-year-old Marine from California, was identified as one of the four victims of the February 6 plane crash in Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines.
The crash involved a U.S. military-contracted Beechcraft King Air 350 conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support for the Philippine government.
In addition to Durham, three U.S. defense contractors aboard the aircraft also lost their lives; their identities have not yet been released.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with local witnesses reporting smoke and an explosion before the plane went down near a rice field.
Sgt. Durham, an electronic intelligence and electromagnetic warfare analyst, had recently been promoted to sergeant and was highly decorated for his service.