Blackhawk down, servicemember missing off Yemen coast

Chief Tango sends us a link to the Associated Press which reports that a Blackhawk helicopter crashed during a training event off the coast of Yemen and that one servicemember is missing as a result;

Five others aboard the aircraft were rescued, officials said in a statement issued by U.S. Central Command.

The crash took place Friday evening. Officials said the crash was under investigation.

Asked if the crash involved another special forces raid, Central Command told The Associated Press that “this was a routine training event specifically for U.S. military personnel.”

The Washington Post reports that the helicopter was an asset of the 160th Special Operations Air Regiment (SOAR);

The helicopter was conducting hoist training just feet above the water when it lost power and went into the sea, quickly rolling over and ejecting six aboard. Col. John J. Thomas, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said ships were nearby and five of the six service members were quickly recovered. Thomas said the search and rescue efforts for the missing service member are ongoing.

The helicopter and crew were a part of the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Air Regiment and working alongside a Special Operations Task Force operating in the region, said Thomas. He added that additional military units have launched from nearby Djibouti to help with the rescue efforts.

Category: Army News