BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado man killed when a Coast Guard plane and Marine Corps helicopter collided last week off the southern California coast was a graduate of the University of Colorado.

The Marines say 1st Lt. Tom Claiborne was among nine people killed in the crash during a routine training operation Thursday night.

The 26-year-old graduated from CU in 2006 with a degree in aerospace engineering.

Kenneth Claiborne told the Camera newspaper Tuesday that his son graduated from Chaparral High School in Parker in 2002.

Tom Claiborne had been part of CU's Navy ROTC. Retired Marine Col. Greg Akers, who was the unit's commanding officer, says Claiborne was bright, with a dry sense of humor and a mischievous grin.

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Information from: Daily Camera, http://www.dailycamera.com/