Four U.S. Army soldiers died when an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed Wednesday night near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. The crash happened around 9 p.m. during a routine training mission west of the base, according to U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
The Unit Involved
The soldiers were part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), also known as the “Night Stalkers.” This elite aviation unit specializes in nighttime missions and is recognized for its precision and readiness to conduct the toughest operations worldwide.
Conditions and Recovery Efforts
At the time of the crash, weather conditions were mostly clear with light winds. Recovery operations are ongoing, involving law enforcement, firefighters, and specialized personnel from the joint base. The crash sparked a small wildfire of about 1.25 acres, but state officials said fire activity remained minimal and was quickly contained.
Official Statements
Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, honored the soldiers, saying:
“They were elite warriors who embodied the highest values of the Army and the Army Special Operations, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
He also expressed gratitude to the first responders working to recover the remains of the fallen soldiers.
Previous Incidents
This tragedy is the second deadly crash involving the regiment in recent years:
- In 2023, five Night Stalkers died in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Mediterranean during an air refueling training mission.
- In March 2024, two soldiers were hospitalized after an Apache helicopter from the same base crashed during training.
Location Context
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, located about 10 miles south of Tacoma, is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters and is one of the military’s largest and most strategically important installations.
