Three soldiers were killed and another was injured when two Apache helicopters collided in flight near Healy, Alaska, on Thursday, U.S. Army officials said.
The two Apaches were from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright. The crash occurred during a flight home following a training mission.
“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, told American Military News in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the Army available to support them.”
“The Fort Wainwright community is one of the tightest military communities I’ve seen in my 32 years of service. I have no doubt they will pull together during this exceptional time of need and provide comfort to our families of our fallen,” Eifler said.
The names of the deceased have not been released.
A team from the Army Combat Readiness Center, Fort Novosel, Alabama, is investigating the incident.
In March, nine U.S. soldiers died after two Fort Campbell Blackhawk helicopters crashed in Kentucky.
According to the 101st Airborne Division, the Blackhawks crashed in Trigg County around 10 p.m. during a “routine training mission.”
“The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred,” Fort Campbell said in a statement at the time. “The status of the crew members are unknown at this time. The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
