Military identifies NC-based Marine who died in training incident near Camp Lejeune

Rodney Overton
·2 min read
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Military identifies NC-based Marine who died in training incident near Camp Lejeune

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — U.S. military officials have identified a North Carolina-based Marine who died during a late-night training exercise this week.

The incident happened just after 11:05 p.m. Thursday near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Carteret County, according to a Saturday afternoon news release from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, who had enlisted four years earlier, died less than three weeks after his promotion to the rank of sergeant, the news release said.

Arslanbas, age 23, was assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, officials said.

U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, make landfall during Intelligence Interoperability Exercise II off the coast of Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Nov. 15, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)
U.S. Marine with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, make landfall during Intelligence Interoperability Exercise II off the coast of Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Nov. 15, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

Arslanbas, of Missouri, enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 16, 2020. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on April 1.

“Words cannot convey our sorrow for the tragic loss of one of our MEU family members,” Col. Todd Mahar, 24th MEU commanding officer, said in the news release.

Arslanbas served as a Reconnaissance Marine with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, stationed on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune conduct open-sea rigid-hull inflatable boat operations during Amphibious Squadron, MEU Integration in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 9, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)
U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune conduct open-sea rigid-hull inflatable boat operations during Amphibious Squadron, MEU Integration in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 9, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

His decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

“The 24th MEU family mourns the loss of an outstanding Marine and leader. We offer our deepest condolences and unwavering support to his family during this most difficult time,” Mahar added in the news release.

Officials said the deadly training incident is under investigation.

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