U.S. officers say 5 U.S. service members have been killed when a navy helicopter crashed throughout coaching over the jap Mediterranean Sea
ByThe Related Press
November 12, 2023, 11:49 AM
FILE – The emblem of the headquarters of the US European Command (US EUCOM) is seen within the Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, Dec. 4, 2006. 5 U.S. servicepeople have been killed when a navy plane crashed over the jap Mediterranean Sea throughout a coaching mission, U.S. European Command mentioned Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photograph/Thomas Kienzle, file)
The Related Press
BERLIN — 5 U.S. servicepeople have been killed when a navy helicopter crashed over the jap Mediterranean Sea throughout a coaching mission, U.S. officers mentioned Sunday.
The navy’s European Command mentioned all 5 crew members on board have been killed when the plane went down “throughout a routine air refueling mission as a part of navy coaching.”
The navy first introduced the crash on Saturday and mentioned that the trigger is beneath investigation, however there are not any indications of any hostile exercise concerned. It mentioned on Sunday that “search and rescue efforts started instantly, together with close by U.S. navy plane and ships.”
U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned in a press release that “we mourn the tragic lack of 5 U.S. service members throughout a coaching accident within the Mediterranean Sea early Saturday morning.”
“Whereas we proceed to collect extra details about this lethal crash, it’s one other stark reminder that the courageous women and men who defend our nice nation put their lives on the road every day to maintain our nation protected,” he mentioned.
European Command mentioned that out of respect for the households of the service members and according to Division of Protection coverage, the identities of the crew members are being withheld for twenty-four hours till the households of these killed have been notified.
It wasn’t instantly clear which navy service the plane belonged to. The Air Drive has despatched further squadrons to the area and the USS Gerald R. Ford plane provider, which has an array of plane on board, has additionally been working within the jap Mediterranean.