WASHINGTON -- The Marine Corps has suspended the use of the M224A1 60 millimeter mortar system for all Marine Corps commands following the Hawthorne Army Depot training accident in Nevada.

General officers in command of units engaged in combat operations may authorize the use of the mortar system following an Operational Risk Management assessment.

As a precautionary measure, the use of these mortar systems is suspended until otherwise directed by Headquarters, Marine Corps.

The investigation of the training accident is being conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Seven Marines were fatally injured and eight others were wounded as a result of the training accident.

For information regarding the M224A1 60 millimeter mortar system or the information contained within this news release please contact Headquarters, Marine Corps, Division of Public Affairs at (703)614-4309 or ontherecord@usmc.mil.

For information regarding the training accident that occurred at the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada please contact Capt. Binford Strickland, Binford.strickland@usmc.mil, or Master Sgt. Jon Cress, jonathan.cress@usmc.mil, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at (910)451-5260.