7 US military men killed in Iraq copter crash

WASHINGTON: Seven US military personnel were killed when the helicopter carrying them crashed during a routine transport mission in western Iraq, a defense official said Friday.

"It was a routine troop transport operation going from Iraq to Syria, nothing out of the ordinary," the official said. "There were seven people aboard -- they are all believed to be dead."

Another official said that four of those killed in Thursday´s crash belonged to the Air Force. A Pentagon statement said the crash involved a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk and did not appear to be a result of enemy activity.

An accompanying US helicopter reported the crash and a quick reaction force comprised of Iraqi Security Forces and US-led coalition members secured the scene.

"This tragedy reminds us of the risks our men and women face every day in service of our nations. We are thinking of the loved ones of these service members today," Brigadier General Jonathan Braga said. "We are grateful to the Iraqi security forces for their immediate assistance in response to this tragic incident."