US National Guard Apache helicopter crashed, casualties reported
US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter (photo: army.mil)
In the US, a National Guard AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Booneville, Mississippi. As a result, two pilots died, and there were also injuries, according to the Mississippi National Guard.
The helicopter crash occurred in a wooded area in Prentiss County, Mississippi, at approximately 2:00 p.m. local time (11:00 p.m. Kyiv time), according to the State Aviation Department.
"A report from Sheriff Randy Tolar confirms the tragic loss of two Soldiers today as a result of the crash," the statement from the National Guard said.
The military aircraft was an AH-64 Apache, flying a routine training flight.
It is also reported that two servicemen were injured as a result of the aircraft crash.
"Our paramount concern at this time is to ensure proper casualty assistance is conducted to support the surviving family members. One Soldier was in A Company 1-149 Aviation Regiment Unit, and the second Soldier was in D Company 2-151 Lakota Medical Evacuation Unit, Mississippi National Guard," the statement from the National Guard said.
Like all accidents, this incident will be investigated.
Other aircraft accidents involving US military
Earlier in February, in the Southern California area, a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed during a training flight, resulting in the deaths of five Marines.
At the end of January, it was reported that an American F-16 fighter jet crashed in waters off the western coast of South Korea. The pilot ejected safely.
On December 12 of last year, near the shores of South Korea in the Yellow Sea, a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed. The pilot was rescued in the Yellow Sea by the South Korean coast guard.
Earlier, on November 30, a CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed near the coast of the Japanese island of Yakushima, resulting in the deaths of eight pilots. After that crash, the US military suspended all its V-22 Osprey aircraft.
It should be noted that in August, an American Osprey crashed off the coast of northern Australia during troop transport as part of military exercises, resulting in the deaths of three US Marines.
Also, in May, a US Air Force F-18 fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight at an air base in Spain. The pilot ejected safely.
In April 2023, three American soldiers died, and one was injured when two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided during training flights in Alaska.
A year ago, in February, two members of the Tennessee National Guard were killed when a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Alabama during a training flight.
