Nine soldiers killed in Black Hawk helicopters crash near Fort Campbell
Mike Brest
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Two U.S. Army helicopters crashed on Wednesday night, killing nine soldiers in Trigg County, Kentucky, officials confirmed Thursday morning.
The crash occurred between two flying HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during a “routine training mission” at approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday night, Army Fort Campbell’s Public Affairs Office said in a statement.
SEVERAL DEAD AFTER MILITARY HELICOPTERS CRASH IN KENTUCKY
The collision happened between Bobby Light Road and Lancaster Road in Trigg County, according to WKDZ Radio. It’s located just west of Fort Campbell in Western Kentucky and is home to about 14,000 people.
“The command is currently focused on caring for the service members and their families,” the statement added. “The incident is under investigation.”
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth appeared in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee for a posture hearing on Thursday and she began, “It’s a heavy day for the Army,” while lawmakers also expressed their condolences.
Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) said “fatalities are expected,” in the early hours of Friday morning. He will be traveling to Fort Campbell on Thursday “to support our troops and their families after last night’s tragic accident,” he added on social media.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
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Two pilots from the Tennessee National Guard were killed in a fiery helicopter crash in Alabama last month.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham, who had 15 years of service in the National Guard, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danny Randolph, who had 13 years of service, were killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training flight near Highway 53 in Huntsville.