Family asks for privacy, prayers

A Covington County family reached out to ask for prayerful support Friday after they learned their husband and brother was one of 12 Marines missing after two CH-53 helicopters collided during an overnight training flight off the Hawaiian island of Oahu Thursday.

Marine Lt. Josh Turner, formerly of Florala, is among those missing at sea.

U.S. Coast Guard officials told the media on Friday that their search was hampered by high surf and poor visibility from rain storms. Two Coast Guard cutters, several aircraft, two U.S. Navy warships, and local police and fire department helicopters were involved in the search.

A Coast Guard spokesman said in a news conference that no distress call was issued by either aircraft. Authorities were notified by a man standing on the beach who saw a fireball over the ocean after seeing the helicopters flying in that area,

Family members asked for privacy as they await news of the search, but said Turner and his wife, Elizabeth, are stationed in Hawaii. Josh Turner’s social media page says the couple married on April 11, 2015.

Turner is reportedly a 2009 graduate of Florala High School. Family members include his father, Jerry Turner of Florala; mom, Louise Walker of Opp; sister and brother-in-law, Christy and David Wise of Kinston; and sister, Aimee Goodson of Opp.