Body Of Leominster Marine Killed In NATO Exercise Returns Home

LEOMINSTER, MA — The remains of four United States Marines who were killed in a crash during a training flight in Norway over the weekend will return home Friday.

Capt. Ross Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, was among three others who were killed during a NATO exercise called Cold Response 2022 on Friday.

In addition to Reynolds, the bodies of Capt. Matthew Tomkiewicz, of Indiana, the other pilot; Gunnery Sgt. James Speedy, of Ohio; and Cpl. Jacob Moore, of Kentucky, are expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Friday afternoon for a "solemn dignified transfer of remains."

The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations details the process:

Once the aircraft lands at Dover AFB, service-specific carry teams remove the transfer cases individually from the aircraft and move them to an awaiting transfer vehicle. The vehicle(s) then transport the fallen to the mortuary facility for positive identification by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System and preparation for their final resting place.

The four Marines died when their MV-22B Osprey aircraft crashed last Friday night in a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle during a NATO exercise.

At 1:30 a.m. Saturday, the police found the aircraft had crashed in Graetaedalen, Beiarn, south of Bodoe. The men were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, Norwegian police reported bad weather in the area during the time of the exercise.

According to the Marine Corps, the Cold Response drill includes around 30,000 troops from 27 countries, including non-NATO countries Finland and Sweeden. The exercises started March 14 and were planning to end by April 1.

According to his LinkedIn page, Capt. Reynolds was a Leominster High School and Worcester State University graduate, with honors from both schools. The Marine Corps says he earned decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Funeral arrangements for Capt. Reynolds are pending.