- The US Military stated 5 service members died throughout a coaching mission within the Mediterranean.
- It’s unclear if these troops are concerned with the strike teams despatched close to Israel.
- So far, dozens of service members have died this yr throughout coaching missions.
Five US service individuals had been killed when a army helicopter crashed over the japanese Mediterranean Sea throughout a coaching mission, US officers stated Sunday.
The army’s European Command stated all 5 crew members on board had been killed when the plane went down “during a routine air refueling mission as part of military training.”
The army first introduced the crash on Saturday and stated that the trigger is underneath investigation, however there are not any indications of any hostile exercise concerned. It stated on Sunday that “search and rescue efforts began immediately, including nearby US military aircraft and ships.”
The New York Times reported the crash concerned an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and concerned US Army Special Operations forces. The outlet additionally reported the incident occurred close to Cyprus.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated in a press release that “we mourn the tragic loss of five US service members during a training accident in the Mediterranean Sea early Saturday morning.”
“While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe,” he stated.
European Command stated that out of respect for the households of the service members and in keeping with Department of Defense coverage, the identities of the crew members are being withheld for twenty-four hours till the households of these killed have been notified.
The Air Force has despatched further squadrons to the area, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, which has an array of plane on board, has additionally been working within the japanese Mediterranean. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying strike group — a large quantity of army vessels to the area — contains a number of warships and F-35 combat jets. In addition to the Ford, the US Military despatched the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower provider strike group.
The US army stated it did so to discourage violence within the area and to indicate assist for Israel because it continues its lethal floor invasion and aerial bombardment of Gaza.
This yr has seen a collection of US service member deaths on account of helicopter crashes throughout coaching. In August, three service members died, and 20 had been injured after a Boeing MV-22B Osprey crashed throughout a coaching train in Australia.
Before that, in February, March, and April, three different separate crashes killed a complete of 14 service members throughout helicopter coaching. Another crash in June in Syria resulted in 22 accidents.
None of the crashes occurred resulting from “enemy fire,” Insider beforehand reported.
It is not simply helicopter coaching that has resulted in accidents: In September, the US army introduced a seek for a lacking F-35 jet after its pilot ejected throughout coaching. The particles was finally discovered.
