COMPLETE COVERAGE | FRONT LINES | AMERICA AT HOME | INTERACTIVES »

Marine crash victims' bodies arrive in U.S.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The bodies of several U.S. Marines killed in last week's crash of a KC-130 refueling plane in southwestern Pakistan have arrived in the United States.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

The plane carrying the bodies touched down just before midnight Sunday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, said Maj. Ralph Mills, U.S. Central Command spokesman.

It was not clear how many of the seven Marines who died were transported to the Dover base, where the Defense Department's mortuary is located.

"We received seven transfer cases. Our original information was that we were going to receive five sets of remains," said Col. Scott Wuesthoff. "The [Department of Defense] is pushing to get as many of the remains back as possible so ... I can't tell you it's five, it's six -- it might even be seven. We have to open up those transfer cases.

"It's a very emotionally draining job, but at the same time you receive a certain amount of adrenaline because you are taking care of America's warriors," Wuesthoff added.

U.S. officials have said there was no indication that enemy fire was responsible for the turboprop plane's crash in the rugged area west of Quetta, Pakistan, but its cause remains under investigation.

The victims were from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which is north of San Diego, California.