Washington, D.C. (NewsFirst) — U.S. military’s European Command says 5 American service members were killed when a helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean during a routine air refueling mission for a military training exercise. The crash occurred early Saturday morning.
The United States is currently active in that region, because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“During a routine air refueling mission as part of military training, a US military aircraft carrying five service members suffered a mishap and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. All five of the service members onboard the aircraft were killed,” the US European Command (EUCOM) said in a statement.
The U.S. Department of Defense has released the following statement.
Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on a Helicopter Crash in the Mediterranean Sea.
We mourn the tragic loss of five U.S. service members during a training accident in the Mediterranean Sea early Saturday morning.
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. They represent the best of America. We will remember their service and their sacrifice.
My prayers are with the patriots we have lost today and their families, loved ones, and teammates.
