Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

4 Die in Army Base Helicopter Crash

Soldiers were on training mission

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 13, 2011 7:06 AM CST

(AP) – Two US Army helicopters crashed during a training mission last night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, killing four soldiers. The reconnaissance choppers crashed after 8pm in the southwest training area of the sprawling base, according to the Army. "We don't have details on what actually occurred," said a base spokesman. "That will be part of the investigation." It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft collided or crashed separately.

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, often called a scout helicopter, is a single-engine, four-bladed aircraft used for armed reconnaissance, the spokesman said. The base is one of the largest in the US, with about 100,000 military and civilian personnel. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the soldiers involved in this tragic accident," said a top official at the base.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord spokesman Lt. Col. Gary Dangerfield gives a brief statement about the crash. (Jeremy Harrison)

Crews enter the training area southwest of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., near the scene where two Army OH-58 Kiowa helicopters crashed, killing four soldiers Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. (Jeremy Harrison)

Light is visible in the background Tuwesday Dec. 13, 2011, in the area where two Army Helicopters crashed. (John Froschauer)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11%

80%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

2 US Pilots Die in Iraq Chopper Crash

'Hard landing' north of Baghdad yesterday

(NEWSER) - A chopper's "hard landing" in Salahuddin province north of Baghdad took the lives of two US pilots yesterday, bringing the total count of Americans killed in Iraq since the war began in March 2003 to at least 4,361. The military released no further details about the crash, but said the incident is under investigation. More»

Hero Cop Took Down Shooter in 'Amazing Performance'

Swiftly responding officer shot once as she put 4 in Hasan

(NEWSER) - Sgt. Kimberly Munley, a civilian police officer, has earned the highest praise for taking down the Fort Hood gunman. She and her partner responded to the scene within 3 minutes, base commander Lt. Gen. Robert Cone reports, and she pumped four bullets into Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, from just a few feet away, while taking a bullet herself. “Really a pretty amazing and aggressive performance by this police officer,” Cone says. More»

12 Dead, 31 Wounded in Fort Hood Shootings

Soldier gunman is dead; two other suspects are in custody

(AP) - Twelve people are dead and 31 wounded after a shooting spree at Fort Hood, the Texas Army base. One shooter is among the dead and two more suspects are in custody. All are US soldiers, said an Army official. All the casualties took place at the base's Soldier Readiness Center, where those who are about to be deployed or who are returning undergo medical screening. The primary shooter opened fire with two handguns about 1:30pm. More»

Colo. Ranchers Battle Army Land Grab

Coloradans balk at plans to expand training base onto vast tract of rangeland

(NEWSER) - Ranchers in southeast Colorado have fought the US Army to a standstill over plans to expand a training site onto their land, the Wall Street Journal reports. An Army analysis found that the grasslands were ideal for combat training, and recommended the military acquire 7 million acres, but the ranchers have balked at turning over a single acre of the lands that their cattle have grazed for generations. More»

2 US Choppers Crash in Iraq, Killing 4 Troops

Disaster 'does not appear to be by enemy action'

(AP) - Two US helicopters crashed today in northern Iraq, killing four American troops, the military said. The military said the crash happened at about 2:15am local time and it "does not appear to be by enemy action." Iraqi officials said the crash site was located about 180 miles north of Baghdad. All the dead were Americans, said a US military rep. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

4 Die in Army Base Helicopter Crash

Soldiers were on training mission

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

US military • helicopter • US Army • military bases • helicopter crash

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

2 US Pilots Die in Iraq Chopper Crash

'Hard landing' north of Baghdad yesterday

Hero Cop Took Down Shooter in 'Amazing Performance'

Swiftly responding officer shot once as she put 4 in Hasan

12 Dead, 31 Wounded in Fort Hood Shootings

Soldier gunman is dead; two other suspects are in custody

Colo. Ranchers Battle Army Land Grab

Coloradans balk at plans to expand training base onto vast tract of rangeland

2 US Choppers Crash in Iraq, Killing 4 Troops

Disaster 'does not appear to be by enemy action'

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?