Mccolley, Jonathan Eric

Jonathan Eric Mccolley was a 23-year-old sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464), Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

On February 17, 2006, Sgt. Mccolley was killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan. The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down in the Kunar Province, near the city of Asadabad, during combat operations. The crash claimed the lives of all ten service members on board.

The incident occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led international military campaign that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. The operation's objectives in Afghanistan included dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban regime from power. By 2006, U.S. and coalition forces were engaged in significant counterinsurgency efforts in the country's eastern and southern regions.

The Department of Defense officially announced the casualties on February 18, 2006. The crash was reportedly caused by mechanical failure, according to military investigators. The ten service members killed represented the single deadliest incident for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in nearly four months at that time.

Sgt. Mccolley was posthumously awarded the Air Medal with combat 'V' device for his actions. He is remembered on memorials in his hometown and by his unit. His death was one of 98 U.S. military fatalities in Afghanistan in 2006.

Sgt. Mccolley was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Santos, Dave Michael Maliksi, Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif.

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