7 Servicemen Killed, 11 Hurt in 2 Copter Crashes
Seven men were killed and 11 others injured in the crash of two military helicopters during separate training maneuvers, authorities said Saturday.
An Army Blackhawk helicopter crashed Friday night during a training exercise in a densely wooded area of Ft. Chaffee, Ark., killing five of the 13 soldiers who were on board.
Also Friday night, two Marines were killed and three others injured in the crash of a UH-1N Huey during a training mission in the Chocolate Mountain bombing range, 55 miles west of the Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma, Ariz., Gunnery Sgt. H. L. Wheeler said.
Cecil Green, Ft. Chaffee information officer, said two Army helicopters airlifted the eight survivors of the Arkansas crash to St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Ft. Smith. Some of the soldiers walked away from the crash but others were seriously injured.
Green said the exercise was a routine part of the Joint Readiness Training Center activities.
The three injured Marines from the Arizona crash were flown to the Yuma Regional Medical Center where they were listed in stable condition. Wheeler said the helicopter was carrying practice rockets and small-caliber ammunition.
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