Ajit Karn
Washington: Thursday, a military spokesman confirmed that two US Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Kentucky during a training mission, killing nine soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Hoefler, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, confirmed the deaths of nine personnel. The helicopters belonged to the division.
The accident occurred around 10:00 p.m. (0300 GMT) on Wednesday in Trigg County, Kentucky, northwest of Fort Campbell, according to the base.
“The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred,” the statement said, adding that an investigation is underway.
After last night’s tragic incident, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear tweeted that he would be “traveling to Fort Campbell to support our troops and their families.”
Earlier on Twitter, Governor Beshear had stated that Kentucky police and emergency management were responding, adding, “Please pray for all those affected.”
Fort Campbell is home to the 101st Airborne Division, the only air assault division in the United States Army.
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The division, known as the “Screaming Eagles,” was activated in August 1942 and achieved notoriety during World War II’s D-Day landings and the Battle of the Bulge.
Recently, the division has engaged in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
