Four particular operations troopers aboard Black Hawk in crash close to Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Four special operations soldiers were on board a Black Hawk helicopter when it tragically crashed in Washington on Wednesday night.
The fate of the four soldiers remains unclear, but first responders who were involved in rescue operations were forced to stop their efforts due to a fire on the scene.
The scene of the crash appears to be just 35 miles west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Department responded on Wednesday night about 9pm to reports of an explosion in the area, near Summit Lake.
‘Deputies have located what is believed to be the scene,’ the department said in a statement.
‘We have been advised that the military lost contact with a helicopter in the area, and we are working closely with JBLM to deploy any resources needed to assist.
‘Deputies located the crash site but have been unable to continue rescue efforts as the scene is on fire and is starting to overheat their footwear,’ Sheriff Derek Sanders added.
Four special operations soldiers were on board a Black Hawk helicopter when it tragically crashed in Washington on Wednesday night
Army Special Operations Command described the tragedy as a ‘mishap’ in a statement on Thursday.
‘Four service members assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) were on board an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in an aviation mishap in a rural area near Joint Base Lewis-McChord,’ the statement read.
‘This remains an active, ongoing situation.’
The cause of the crash was under investigation.
Spokesperson Allie Scott added the helicopter had crashed in terrain that is ‘hard to reach.’
The fate of the four soldiers remains unclear, but first responders who were involved in rescue operations were forced to stop their efforts due to a fire on the scene
Making matters worse, the crash sparked a wildfire that covered up to one acre of terrain.
The crew involved are part of a regiment known as the ‘Night Stalkers’ – a group of premier special operations soldiers who operate in the toughest conditions.
Crews from the unit in 2011 flew Navy SEALS into Pakistan for the top secret mission which killed al-Quida leader and terrorist Osama bin Laden.
This is a breaking news story. More to come.
