Rainier: Two US Army helicopters
crashed on Tuesday, killing four soldiers, during a training mission last
night at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a military spokesman said.
The reconnaissance choppers crashed in the southwest
training area of the sprawling base, according to the Army.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the largest bases in
the US, with about 100,000 military and civilian personnel.
The victims were not immediately identified, even by unit,
pending notification of relatives.
It was not immediately clear whether the aircraft collided
or crashed separately.
"We don't have details on what actually occurred," base
spokesman J C Mathews said. "That will be part of the
investigation."
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is a single-engine, four-bladed
aircraft used for armed reconnaissance, Mathews said. It's
often called a scout helicopter.
Two sheriff's vehicles blocked access to a rural plot of
land today where officials erected large sets of lights to
illuminate the crash site.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends
and loved ones of the soldiers involved in this tragic
accident," said Maj. Gen. Lloyd Miles, acting senior Army
commander at Lewis-McChord.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 21:02