The names of six Hawaii-based Marines killed when their helicopter crashed Thursday in Afghanistan were released Saturday by military officials.

The crash in the southern province of Helmand was the deadliest in Afghanistan since August, when 30 American troops died after a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down in Wardak province in the center of the country.

All six were based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, said base spokeswoman 1st Lt. Diann Olson.

The dead were Capt. Daniel Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Wash.; Capt. Nathan McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa; Cpl. Jesse Stites, 23, of North Beach, Md.; Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J.; and Cpl. Joseph Logan, 22, of Willis, Texas.

Reinhard and Riddick were identified and featured Saturday in a Star-Advertiser story.

Bartle and McHone were the pilots of the aircraft, while Riddick was the helicopter’s crew chief.

Their squadron had been sent in August to Afghanistan as part of a seven-month deployment, Olson said.

"These men were not only experienced Marines, but they were husbands, sons, brothers and dear friends," Olson said in a statement. "The memories of our fallen Marines are engraved in each and every one who had the privilege to know and serve alongside them, and we will never forget the sacrifice they made to our country and our Corps."

All six Marines had served previously in Afghanistan, with Riddick on his fourth deployment, having served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Olson said.

McHone was commissioned into the Marine Corps in September 2005 and joined the squadron in October 2009. It was his second deployment to Afghanistan. He received two Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO ISAF Medal.

Bartle was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a CH-53 pilot. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps in May 2006 and reported for duty with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 in July 2011. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was awarded two Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the NATO ISAF Medal.

Stites, who is survived by his wife, was a CH-53 crew chief who had been with the Lucky Red Lions since March 2009. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2008. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. His awards include three Air Medals, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO ISAF Medal.

The cause of the crash was being investigated, but a statement issued by the NATO international military coalition said there was no enemy activity in the area when it happened.

German Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, a spokesman for the NATO coalition in Kabul, said officials were looking at a "technical fault" as the possible culprit.

"The helicopter is one of the safest forms of transport," Jacobson said. He said not only does it protect troops the danger of roadside bombs on the ground, but it also is a well-tested, well-proven way to travel.

The Vietnam War-era CH-53D, also known as the Sea Stallion, is the same model of helicopter that crashed and killed a Marine on March 29 in Kaneohe Bay. An investigation revealed mechanical failure caused that accident.

All Sea Stallions in use are stationed at Kaneohe. The military plans to replace them with MV-22 Ospreys.

Star-Advertiser reporter Leila Fujimori and the Associated Press contributed to this report.