US aircraft crashes in western Iraq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A US military helicopter crashed in western Iraq, killing all personnel on board.
"All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations for the US-led anti-ISIS coalition.
"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today,” he said.
The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter went down Thursday evening. “The crash does not appear to be a result of enemy activity,” the coalition stated on Friday afternoon.
Braga extended his thanks to Iraqi forces, who assisted the coalition to secure the scene. US CENTCOM stated early Friday morning that rescue teams were responding and an investigation has been launched.
CNN reported earlier that there seven people on board when it crashed. The names of the deceased were not immediately released.
"All personnel aboard were killed in the crash," said Brig. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, director of operations for the US-led anti-ISIS coalition.
"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today,” he said.
The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter went down Thursday evening. “The crash does not appear to be a result of enemy activity,” the coalition stated on Friday afternoon.
Braga extended his thanks to Iraqi forces, who assisted the coalition to secure the scene. US CENTCOM stated early Friday morning that rescue teams were responding and an investigation has been launched.
CNN reported earlier that there seven people on board when it crashed. The names of the deceased were not immediately released.
Updated at 2:40 pm