Helicopter crash claims lives of Five U.S. service members during training exercise
Date
11/13/2023 6:47:53 AM
(MENAFN) In a devastating incident, five American service members lost their lives late Friday as their MH-60 helicopter crashed into the eastern Mediterranean Sea during a training exercise. The military confirmed the casualties on Sunday, identifying the victims as Army special operations soldiers, according to reports from The New York Times and Washington Post. Despite search and rescue efforts extending into Saturday, they were eventually called off.
The U.S. European Command, in an initial statement on Saturday, assured that the cause of the crash was under investigation, emphasizing that there were no indications of hostile activity. The ill-fated aircraft was engaged in a routine air refueling mission when the mishap occurred, as stated in European Command's subsequent statement on Sunday. However, specific details about what went wrong were not disclosed.
The crash site near Cyprus was disclosed by a third U.S. official. The crew involved in the incident had recently been deployed as part of special operations forces, stationed in the region amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Their role included being on standby for potential evacuation efforts concerning American citizens.
As of now, the names of the deceased have not been released, pending notification of their relatives. The tragic incident underscores the risks and challenges inherent in military training exercises, leaving the military community and the nation mourning the loss of these dedicated service members.
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