Two Marines Killed in New Mexico Crash During Border Deployment

Two Marines from California, Lance Cpl. Albert Aguilera of Riverside and Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino of Fresno, were killed and a third Marine critically injured in a military vehicle crash during a convoy movement near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, close to the U.S.-Mexico border. Both Marines served as combat engineers with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, and were supporting border security operations as part of Joint Task Force Southern Border. The accident occurred along State Highway 9, and all three Marines were airlifted to a hospital, where Aguilera and Gamino were pronounced dead. Military officials expressed deep condolences and emphasized their commitment to supporting the families and affected Marines. The crash remains under investigation, with no immediate details on its cause. The deployment is part of broader U.S. military support for border security operations.