Seven US military personnel killed in Iraq helicopter crash: official

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.