Four special forces soldiers who were aboard a US Army MCH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopter that crashed near Lewis-McChord base in Washington state are "presumed deceased," the US Army Special Forces Command said, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The helicopter was on a routine training mission west of the base when it crashed around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Army officials said. The soldiers were part of the 160th Airborne Special Operations Regiment. According to the Army website, the regiment's mission is to organize, equip and employ the Army's special operations aviation forces worldwide.
Army officials said rescue operations were ongoing and the cause of the crash was still under investigation. They said they would release the names of the soldiers "when appropriate," out of respect for their families.