Two killed in US National Guard helicopter crash in Alabama

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Feb 2023 07:50

A Tennessee National Guard helicopter on a training flight crashes near the city of Huntsville, Alabama.

A cloud of black smoke rises from where a Black Hawk helicopter belonging to the Tennessee National Guard crashed in Alabama (AP)

Two people were killed on Wednesday when a military Black Hawk helicopter crashed near a highway in the southern state of Alabama, authorities confirmed.

The helicopter belonged to the Tennessee National Guard and was on a training flight when it crashed at midafternoon near the city of Huntsville, the Tennessee National Guard said in a statement.

Two people are believed dead after a Tennessee National Guard helicopter crashed outside Huntsville, Alabama, at 3:01 p.m. Wednesday. A Nest camera appears to have captured the moment the aircraft went down. https://t.co/87ywtoQVHZ pic.twitter.com/sHryuTh4CN
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) February 16, 2023

The National Guard is a state-based military force that is part of the reserve of the US military when activated for federal missions.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy," Brigadier General Warner Ross, the head of Tennessee’s military forces, said in a statement.

It said no other service members or civilians were harmed in the accident.

National Guard Bureau Spokesperson, Robert Carver, considered that it is "premature to discuss possible causes of the crash" and that "the incident will be investigated."