A United States Army Apache helicopter reportedly crashed down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The downed aircraft comes a day after fighting intensified in the region between Israel and Iran as both countries launched missile strikes against the other, with each blaming the other for needing to do so.
Two crew members had to be rescued from the crashed helicopter, the New York Times reported. No information was provided about what caused the Apache helicopter to crash in the area, and it is currently unknown if it was from military fire, friendly fire, or mechanical failure with the aircraft.
President Donald Trump addressed the crashed Apache helicopter while speaking to media members after attending game three of the National Basketball Association Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday night.
“The pilots are fine,” said Trump to a group of reporters on the way back to Washington, D.C. “Nobody injured.”
The New York Times noted that a report about the incident would be “issued soon.” Other publications said that a report would be issued “tomorrow.”
The U.S. has been using Apache AH-64 helicopters to patrol the Strait of Hormuz in military operations against Iran. The helicopters were used for deterrence and defense, and to provide cover for commercial vessels navigating the Strait during the current military conflict, according to reports. Previously, Apaches reportedly destroyed six Iranian fast boats, wreaking havoc and harassing boats and ships in the Strait.
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The Apache AH-64 is recognized as the “world’s most advanced, proven attack helicopter” and the “backbone of the U.S. Army’s attack helicopter fleet.” It is armed with Hellfire missiles and, as the New York Times highlighted, is considered “one of the most fearsome types of aircraft operating in the region.”
The downed Apache helicopter marks the second known incident since April in which a U.S. aircraft crashed in hostile enemy territory, in which crew members needed to be rescued. In the first incident, the Iranian military shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, and two crew members also needed to be rescued.
As of May 15, a Congressional Research Service report revealed that 42 U.S. aircraft had been “lost or damaged in Operation Epic Fury.” This included the aforementioned F-15E, seven refueling aircrafts, a search-and-rescue helicopter, and at least 25 drones.