SAN DIEGO — The mother and father of Chase Sweetwood, who was one of the Marines presumed dead in the sunken amphibious assault vehicle, just want his body back.
"We need to be able to bury our children," said Christiana Sweetwood, Chase's mother.
The Chula Vista native died the day before his 19th birthday.
A recovery mission is in the works for Chase, Cesar Villanueva and six other military members. A remote operational vehicle will help.
"It has manipulators which can be used to grab things. It can have tools, like an auto shop underwater," said Jules Jaffe from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
This type of equipment will be able to generate a map of the site and possibly secure the 26-ton AAV so a ship can raise it up from the sea floor.
"Given that depth, it provides them the opportunity for bringing in large ships that would have capability to raise the craft," said Jaffe.
The Navy said it has expedited the recovery mission to the end of this week.
"I just want him home. I also grieve for these boys," said Sweetwood.
A dignified transfer of our Marines and Sailor will happen as soon as possible after the conclusion of recovery operations.