5 U.S. Special Forces Lost in Training Helicopter Crash

Tragic Loss in Routine Training: 5 Special Forces Members Dies in Helicopter Crash

By Midey On Nov 13, 2023

Military personnel of the US Army's 101st Airborne Division take off with a Black Hawk helicopter during a demonstration drill at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase near Constanta, Romania on July 30, 2022. - Members of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) headquarters and its 2nd Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony marked their official arrival in Europe at the airbase. The ceremony was followed by a 'Romania/US Air and Land Showcase', a combined US Army and Romanian Army capabilities demonstration. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

In a devastating incident during routine training, five members of the U.S. Special Forces lost their lives as a military Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday morning, according to defense officials.

The crash happened during a standard air refueling mission, as reported by the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) in a press release. Immediate search and rescue efforts were initiated, and an investigation into the crash is currently underway.

The Black Hawk involved belonged to the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and officials have stated that there is no evidence of hostile fire. The Department of Defense is withholding the identities of the fallen soldiers until 24 hours after notifying their next of kin.

This tragic incident occurred amidst heightened military activity in the Mediterranean, with a U.S. aircraft carrier and accompanying ships present as part of efforts to deter direct Iranian involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed his condolences, stating, “While we continue to gather more information about this deadly crash, it is another stark reminder that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe.”

This unfortunate event follows a series of fatal military crashes in recent years. In August, an aircraft crash during a military training exercise in Australia resulted in the loss of three Marines. Before this, there were five fatal crashes of Marine Osprey helicopters since 2012, leading to a total of 16 deaths. In 2021, five sailors lost their lives in a Seahawk helicopter crash off the San Diego coast during routine Navy operations.