PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – High winds forced a plane carrying 300 Marines, including a son of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, to land at Portsmouth International Airport on Monday.
The Marines had just completed a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq. The plane had taken off from Germany and was supposed to land in Bangor, Maine, to refuel when it was diverted because of the wind at about 3 a.m. The Marines were returning to Camp Pendleton in southern California.
No one was hurt.
Steve Bourque, airport security coordinator, said the plane had mechanical problems.
The Portsmouth Herald reported that Jim McCain, McCain’s son, was among the members of Bravo 11, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on the plane, but declined to be interviewed.
“He’s a good Marine,” said Capt. Clark Mitchell of Jim McCain. “Right now that’s his focus. He just wants to do his job.”
Asked if Jim McCain was on the plane, a campaign spokeswoman for John McCain declined to comment Monday.
night.
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