CNN) -- The Department of Defense on Saturday identified six Marines who were killed in Afghanistan when their helicopter crashed.
Jesse W. Stites, 23; Kevin J. Reinhard, 25; and Joseph D. Logan, 22, were all Marine corporals. They hailed from North Beach, Maryland; Colonia, New Jersey; and Willis, Texas, respectively.
Master Sgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa, also lost his life.
Two officers were also aboard the CH-53 helicopter: Capt. Daniel D. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Washington, and Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Illinois.
They were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
The NATO-led force reported no enemy activity in the area of Friday's crash, but the Taliban claimed credit for bringing down the chopper.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen paid tribute to those killed and injured Friday, saying it was a "very sad day" for ISAF troops in Afghanistan and for France.
"Such tragic incidents are terrible and grab headlines, but they are isolated," he said. "The reality is that every day, 130,000 ISAF troops from 50 nations fight and train with over 300,000 Afghan soldiers. That takes a lot of trust among a lot of soldiers.
"We have the same goal. An Afghanistan that is responsible for its own security. That is what Afghans want. And we remain committed to helping Afghans."
