Two Black Hawk Helicopters Crash, Killing Nine in Kentucky

The Hill: Nine people died after two U.S. Army helicopters crashed during a training operation in Kentucky on Wednesday night, the military said Thursday morning.

The crash involved two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters that are part of the 101st Airborne Division and occurred around 10 p.m. on Wednesday over Trigg County, located in the southwestern part of the state on its border with Tennessee.

The 101st Airborne said in a release posted on its Twitter account that crew members were flying a routine mission when the crash occurred. The crash is under investigation.

“The command is currently focused on caring for the service members and their families,” the release said.

Today is a tragic day for Kentucky, Fort Campbell and for the 101st. The nine soldiers we lost are children of God. They will be mourned and missed by their families and communities. Let us pray for all those affected and let them know they're loved and they are not alone. ^AB

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 30, 2023

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted that the state police and Division of Emergency Management along with local officials were responding to the crash. He said he is traveling to Fort Campbell, which is about 60 miles northwest of Nashville, on Thursday morning to support the troops and their families.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Sarah Burgess said at a news conference that the crash occurred in a wooded area in a field. She said no reports of damage to residences had been made.

Brig. Gen. John Lucas, the deputy commander for the 101st Airborne, said at a separate press conference on Thursday that officials are in the process of notifying the victims’ families.

“This is a truly tragic loss for these families, our Division and Fort Campbell. Our number one priority is caring for the families and the soldiers within our combat aviation brigade,” said Brig. Gen. John Lubas. pic.twitter.com/FqrjCZjVq4

— 101st Airborne Div. (@101stAASLTDIV) March 30, 2023

He said the Army has deployed an aircraft safety team from Fort Rucker in Alabama that was scheduled to arrive later Thursday to initiate an investigation.

“This is a truly tragic loss for our families, our division and Fort Campbell, and our No. 1 priority is caring for the families and the soldiers within our combat aviation brigade,” Lucas said.

He said four people were in one helicopter and five were in another, and officials are not sure if the helicopters collided.

Reuters reported that the HH-60 is a variant of the Black Hawk helicopter that is designed to provide support for military operations like air assaults and medical evacuations.

A Black Hawk helicopter crashed along an Alabama highway during a training exercise last month, killing two Tennessee National Guard pilots. End The Hill.