A U.S. service member fighting as part of the campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria was killed and several others injured when their aircraft crashed in Iraq around 10 p.m. on Sunday, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed.
- “I would like to express our condolences on behalf of the Department of Defense for the death of one U.S. service member and several others injured when their aircraft crashed yesterday in Iraq,” Army Col. Rob Manning told reporters on Monday. “The aircraft was conducting a partnered counter-terrorism mission against ISIS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. All personnel were recovered by coalition forces immediately following the incident and three were evacuated for further treatment. There are no indications the crash was caused by hostile fire.”
- The incident is under investigation and the name of the fallen service member will be released after next of kin notification, Manning said. Currently, about 5,200 U.S. troops are deployed to Iraq, about 2,000 are in Syria, and roughly 14,000 are serving in Afghanistan, he said.
- “This most recent event is a solemn reminder of the inherent danger of our business and the risks that our personnel are put in daily around the world – from the battlefield to the ships at sea,” Manning said.
- Newsweek reports that the aircraft involved was an MH-60 Black Hawk, with 10 U.S. military personnel from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment on board.
Our heartfelt condolence to the family of @CJTFOIR service member who died in a helicopter crash in #Iraq last night. While the incident was not a result of enemy fire, it further demonstrates the sacrifices of #Coalition service members & and the danger they face everyday
— OIR Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) August 20, 2018
